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Related Concept Videos

Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Anatomy of the Intestines01:23

Anatomy of the Intestines

Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the small...
Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine

The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is characterized by distinct physicochemical conditions that shape its microbial communities. Among these, the stomach presents a particularly challenging environment for microbial colonization due to its highly acidic pH, ranging from 1 to 3. This extreme acidity effectively limits microbial density. However, certain acid-tolerant microorganisms are capable of surviving in this niche. Notably, Helicobacter pylori can colonize the gastric mucosa,...
Microbiota of the Large Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Large Intestine

The large intestine hosts the most densely populated microbial ecosystem in the human body. This complex community primarily consists of anaerobic bacteria, with Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes) and Bacteroidota (formerly Bacteroidetes) as the predominant groups. The distribution of these microbes varies along different sections of the large intestine, influenced by local environmental factors such as oxygen availability and nutrient composition.The cecum, located at the beginning of the large...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity, and disease...

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Updated: May 11, 2026

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
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Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

Published on: October 15, 2019

Differences in gut microbiota composition between obese and lean children: a cross-sectional study.

Liene Bervoets1, Kim Van Hoorenbeeck, Ineke Kortleven

  • 1Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. liene.bervoets@uhasselt.be.

Gut Pathogens
|May 2, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Childhood obesity is linked to altered gut microbiota. Obese children have a higher Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio and different bacterial species, suggesting microbiota manipulation could manage obesity.

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Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children
10:42

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children

Published on: December 31, 2017

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Last Updated: May 11, 2026

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
11:22

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

Published on: October 15, 2019

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children
10:42

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children

Published on: December 31, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Altered gut microbiota composition is increasingly recognized as a factor associated with obesity.
  • Understanding the specific microbial differences in obese versus lean children is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
  • The interplay between gut bacteria, diet, and host metabolism in childhood obesity requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the gut microbiota composition between obese and lean children.
  • To investigate associations between gut bacterial species, dietary intake, energy consumption, and blood parameters in children.
  • To identify specific bacterial markers associated with childhood obesity.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cross-sectional study including 26 obese and 27 lean children (ages 6-16).
  • Faecal samples analyzed using selective plating and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) for bacterial concentrations.
  • Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for detailed identification of Bacteroides fragilis group species.
  • Statistical analyses included Mann Whitney U test, random forest, and multiple linear regression.

Main Results:

  • Obese children exhibited a higher Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio compared to lean children.
  • Lower relative proportions of Bacteroides vulgatus and higher concentrations of Lactobacillus spp. were observed in obese children.
  • Staphylococcus spp. showed a positive association with energy intake in all children.
  • Lactobacillus spp. were positively associated with plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in obese children.

Conclusions:

  • Significant differences in the gut microbiota composition of key bacterial species exist between obese and lean children.
  • These findings highlight the potential role of the gut microbiome in the pathogenesis of childhood obesity.
  • Non-invasive manipulation of gut microbiota in early infancy may offer a novel strategy for managing childhood obesity and related disorders.