The First Microbial Colonizers of the Human Gut: Composition, Activities, and Health Implications of the Infant Gut Microbiota

SUMMARY The human gut microbiota is engaged in multiple interactions affecting host health during the host's entire life span. Microbes colonize the neonatal gut immediately following birth. The establishment and interactive development of this early gut microbiota are believed to be (at least partially) driven and modulated by specific compounds present in human milk. It has been shown that certain genomes of infant gut commensals, in particular those of bifidobacterial species, are genetically adapted to utilize specific glycans of this human secretory fluid, thus representing a very intriguing example of host-microbe coevolution, where both partners are believed to benefit. In recent years, various metagenomic studies have tried to dissect the composition and functionality of the infant gut microbiome and to explore the distribution across the different ecological niches of the infant gut biogeography of the corresponding microbial consortia, including those corresponding to bacteria and viruses, in healthy and ill subjects. Such analyses have linked certain features of the microbiota/microbiome, such as reduced diversity or aberrant composition, to intestinal illnesses in infants or disease states that are manifested at later stages of life, including asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, and metabolic disorders. Thus, a growing number of studies have reported on how the early human gut microbiota composition/development may affect risk factors related to adult health conditions. This concept has fueled the development of strategies to shape the infant microbiota composition based on various functional food products. In this review, we describe the infant microbiota, the mechanisms that drive its establishment and composition, and how microbial consortia may be molded by natural or artificial interventions. Finally, we discuss the relevance of key microbial players of the infant gut microbiota, in particular bifidobacteria, with respect to their role in health and disease.

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Changes in Human Gut Microbiota Composition Are Linked to the Energy Metabolic Switch During Ten Days of Fasting

SSRN Electronic Journal ◽

10.2139/ssrn.3378696 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Robin Mesnage ◽

Franziska Grundler ◽

Andreas Schwiertz ◽

Yvon Le Maho ◽

Françoise Wilhelmi de Toledo

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Microbiota Composition ◽

Human Gut ◽

Metabolic Switch ◽

Human Gut Microbiota ◽

Gut Microbiota Composition

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Sex differences in the phylum‐level human gut microbiota composition

BMC Microbiology ◽

10.1186/s12866-021-02198-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Alexander Koliada ◽

Vladislav Moseiko ◽

Mariana Romanenko ◽

Oleh Lushchak ◽

Nadiia Kryzhanovska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Age Groups ◽

Microbiota Composition ◽

Human Gut ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Total N ◽

Human Gut Microbiota ◽

Gut Microbiota Composition

Abstract Background Evidence was previously provided for sex-related differences in the human gut microbiota composition, and sex-specific discrepancy in hormonal profiles was proposed as a main determinant of these differences. On the basis of these findings, the assumption was made on the role of microbiota in the sexual dimorphism of human diseases. To date, sex differences in fecal microbiota were demonstrated primarily at lower taxonomic levels, whereas phylum-level differences between sexes were reported in few studies only. In the present population-based cross-sectional research, sex differences in the phylum-level human gut microbiota composition were identified in a large (total n = 2301) sample of relatively healthy individuals from Ukraine. Results Relative abundances of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, as determined by qRT-PCR, were found to be significantly increased, while that of Bacteroidetes was significantly decreased in females compared to males. The Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio was significantly increased in females compared to males. Females had 31 % higher odds of having F/B ratio more than 1 than males. This trend was evident in all age groups. The difference between sexes was even more pronounced in the elder individuals (50+): in this age group, female participants had 56 % higher odds of having F/B ratio > 1 than the male ones. Conclusions In conclusion, sex-specific differences in the phylum-level intestinal microbiota composition were observed in the Ukraine population. The F/B ratio was significantly increased in females compared to males. Further investigation is needed to draw strong conclusions regarding the mechanistic basis for sex-specific differences in the gut microbiota composition and regarding the role of these differences in the initiation and progression of human chronic diseases.

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Effects of phlorotannin and polysaccharide fractions of brown seaweed Silvetia compressa on human gut microbiota composition using an in vitro colonic model

Journal of Functional Foods ◽

10.1016/j.jff.2021.104596 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 84 ◽

pp. 104596

Author(s):

Benjamín Vázquez-Rodríguez ◽

Liliana Santos-Zea ◽

Erick Heredia-Olea ◽

Laura Acevedo-Pacheco ◽

Arlette Santacruz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Brown Seaweed ◽

Microbiota Composition ◽

Human Gut ◽

Human Gut Microbiota ◽

Gut Microbiota Composition

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Analysis of Human Gut Microbiota Composition Associated to the Presence of Commensal and Pathogen Microorganisms in Côte d’Ivoire

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9081763 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 1763

Author(s):

Veronica Di Cristanziano ◽

Fedja Farowski ◽

Federica Berrilli ◽

Maristella Santoro ◽

David Di Cave ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Cote D'ivoire ◽

Côte D’Ivoire ◽

Enteric Pathogens ◽

Microbiota Composition ◽

Human Gut ◽

Cote D’Ivoire ◽

Human Gut Microbiota ◽

Côte D'ivoire ◽

Gut Microbiota Composition

Background: The human gut microbiota is a microbial ecosystem contributing to the maintenance of host health with functions related to immune and metabolic aspects. Relations between microbiota and enteric pathogens in sub-Saharan Africa are scarcely investigated. The present study explored gut microbiota composition associated to the presence of common enteric pathogens and commensal microorganisms, e.g., Blastocystis and Entamoeba species, in children and adults from semi-urban and non-urban localities in Côte d’Ivoire. Methods: Seventy-six stool samples were analyzed for microbiota composition by 16S rRDNA sequencing. The presence of adeno-, entero-, parechoviruses, bacterial and protozoal pathogens, Blastocystis, and commensal Entamoeba species, was analyzed by different molecular assays. Results: Twelve individuals resulted negative for any tested microorganisms, 64 subjects were positive for one or more microorganisms. Adenovirus, enterovirus, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), and Blastocystis were frequently detected. Conclusions: The bacterial composition driven by Prevotellaceae and Ruminococcaceae confirmed the biotype related to the traditional dietary and cooking practices in low-income countries. Clear separation in UniFrac distance in subjects co-harboring Entamoeba hartmanni and Blastocystis was evidenced. Alpha diversity variation in negative control group versus only Blastocystis positive suggested its possible regulatory contribution on intestinal microbiota. Pathogenic bacteria and virus did not affect the positive outcome of co-harbored Blastocystis.

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The effect of various diets on the human gut microbiota composition

Farmaciya (Pharmacy) ◽

10.29296/25419218-2021-07-01 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 70 (7) ◽

pp. 5-10

Author(s):

K.A. Aitbaev ◽

I.T. Murkamilov ◽

V.V. Fomin ◽

Zh.A. Murkamilova ◽

I.O. Kudaibergenova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Microbiota Composition ◽

Human Gut ◽

Human Gut Microbiota ◽

Gut Microbiota Composition

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Shifts in the gut microbiota structure caused by Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy

10.1101/296426 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Evgenii I. Olekhnovich ◽

Alexander I. Manolov ◽

Nikita A. Prianichniikov ◽

Andrei E. Samoilov ◽

Maja V. Malakhova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Duodenal Ulcer ◽

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Eradication Therapy ◽

Microbiota Composition ◽

Human Gut ◽

Metabolic Potential ◽

Health And Disease ◽

Gut Microbiota Composition ◽

Microbiota Structure

AbstractThe human gut microbiome plays an important role both in health and disease. The use of antibiotics can alter gut microbiota composition, which can cause complications of various kinds. Here we report a whole genome sequencing metagenomic study of the intestinal microbiota changes caused by Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy. We have found the decrease in taxonomic alpha-diversity due to the therapy. The changes observed were more extensive for patients with duodenal ulcer and female ones. As well across the patients under the therapy we have detected the shifts in the metabolic potential and resistome. Seven KEGG pathways associated with quorum sensing, genetic Information processing and environmental Information processing were increased, while metabolic pathways related with metabolism of cofactors and vitamins and glycan biosynthesis and metabolism decreased. Changes in the resistome profile have also been identified. We observed perturbations in intraspecies structures, which were higher in group of patients under the therapy than in control group of people without treatment. The Eubacterium rectale pangenome extracted from metagenomic data were changed. We also isolated and sequenced Enterococcus faecium strains from two patients before and after eradication therapy. After the therapy this bacterium increased as the antibiotic resistance in vitro, as well the number of ARGs to macrolides and tetracyclines and metagenomic relative abundance in comparison with strains before therapy. In summary, microbial community demonstrated shift to reduce metabolic potential and to increased mechanisms, which mediate more survival condition through intraspecies perturbations.ImportanceThe human gut microbiome plays an important role both in health and disease. The use of antibiotics can alter gut microbiota composition, which can cause complications of various kinds. H. pylori eradication therapy causes multiple shifts and alterations (including intraspecies changes) of the intestinal microbiota structure and leads to the accumulation of genes which determine resistance to macrolides. Since these changes are not the same for patients with various diseases, patients with duodenal ulcer may be further paid special attention for reducing side effects, such as antibiotic-induced dysbiosis. Also, study of antibiotic treatment in terms of its impact upon the human gut microbiota allows shedding light on of the complex processes that cause accumulation and spread of antibiotic resistance. An identification and understanding of these complicated processes may help to constrain antibiotic resistance spread, which is of great importance for human health care.

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Emergence of the Human Gut Microbiota as an Influencer in Health and Disease

10.1007/978-3-030-71963-0_6 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 43-51

Author(s):

Miranda G. Kiernan ◽

Suzanne S. Dunne ◽

Colum P. Dunne

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Human Gut ◽

Human Gut Microbiota ◽

Health And Disease

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Human gut microbiota and its relationship to health and disease

Nutrition Reviews ◽

10.1111/j.1753-4887.2011.00402.x ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 69 (7) ◽

pp. 392-403 ◽

Cited By ~ 122

Author(s):

Taylor C Wallace ◽

Francisco Guarner ◽

Karen Madsen ◽

Michael D Cabana ◽

Glenn Gibson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Human Gut ◽

Human Gut Microbiota ◽

Health And Disease

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Perspectives on the role of the human gut microbiota and its modulation by pro- and prebiotics

Nutrition Research Reviews ◽

10.1079/095442200108729089 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 229-254 ◽

Cited By ~ 118

Author(s):

Toni Steer ◽

Hollie Carpenter ◽

Kieran Tuohy ◽

Glenn R. Gibson

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Dietary Intervention ◽

Gut Microflora ◽

Human Gut ◽

Human Gut Microbiota ◽

Disease States ◽

Health Promoting ◽

Irritable Bowel ◽

Micro Organisms

AbstractOne of the most topical areas of human nutrition is the role of the gut in health and disease. Specifically, this involves interactions between the resident microbiota and dietary ingredients that support their activities. Currently, it is accepted that the gut microflora contains pathogenic, benign and beneficial components. Some microbially induced disease states such as acute gastroenteritis and pseudomembranous colitis have a defined aetiological agent(s). Speculation on the role of microbiota components in disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, bowel cancer, neonatal necrotising enterocolitis and ulcerative colitis are less well defined, but many studies are convincing. It is evident that the gut microflora composition can be altered through diet. Because of their perceived health-promoting status, bifidobacteria and lactobacilli are the commonest targets. Probiotics involve the use of live micro-organisms in food; prebiotics are carbohydrates selectively metabolized by desirable moieties of the indigenous flora; synbiotics combine the two approaches. Dietary intervention of the human gut microbiota is feasible and has been proven as efficacious in volunteer trials. The health bonuses of such approaches offer the potential to manage many gut disorders prophylactically. However, it is imperative that the best methodologies available are applied to this area of nutritional sciences. This will undoubtedly involve a genomic application to the research and is already under way through molecular tracking of microbiota changes to diet in controlled human trials.

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