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Updated: May 7, 2026

An Intestinal Gut Organ Culture System for Analyzing Host-Microbiota Interactions

An Intestinal Gut Organ Culture System for Analyzing Host-Microbiota Interactions

Published on: June 30, 2021

Microbiota-mediated colonization resistance against intestinal pathogens.

Charlie G Buffie¹, Eric G Pamer

¹Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, Box number 9, New York, New York 10065, USA.

Nature Reviews. Immunology

|October 8, 2013

Summary

The gut microbiota can be harnessed to combat antibiotic-resistant infections. Specific commensal bacteria restore colonization resistance, offering a promising therapeutic strategy against challenging pathogens.

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Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Analyses of Murine Intestinal Microbiota After Oral Antibiotic Treatment

Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Analyses of Murine Intestinal Microbiota After Oral Antibiotic Treatment

Published on: November 17, 2018

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Last Updated: May 7, 2026

An Intestinal Gut Organ Culture System for Analyzing Host-Microbiota Interactions

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Published on: June 30, 2021

Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Analyses of Murine Intestinal Microbiota After Oral Antibiotic Treatment

Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Analyses of Murine Intestinal Microbiota After Oral Antibiotic Treatment

Published on: November 17, 2018

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Immunology
Gastroenterology

Background:

Commensal bacteria influence host metabolic and immune pathways.
The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in protecting against pathogens.
Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health concern, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

To review how commensal microbiota composition impacts immune-mediated colonization resistance against antibiotic-resistant intestinal pathogens.
To highlight recent advances in understanding the potential of specific commensal bacteria to restore colonization resistance.

Main Methods:

Review of current scientific literature on host-microbiota interactions.
Analysis of studies investigating the role of commensal bacteria in colonization resistance.
Characterization of bacterial species and their efficacy in restoring resistance.

Main Results:

Commensal microbiota composition significantly influences colonization resistance.
Certain commensal bacteria can restore colonization resistance in antibiotic-treated hosts.
Specific bacterial families, genera, and species show promise in combating pathogens like vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, Enterobacteriaceae, and Clostridium difficile.

Conclusions:

Manipulating the commensal microbiota is a viable strategy for preventing and treating infections caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
Understanding the specific roles of commensal bacteria is key to developing targeted microbiome-based therapies.
Restoring colonization resistance through commensal bacteria offers a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics.