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Related Concept Videos

Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

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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,...
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Development of Human Microbiota01:30

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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...
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Probiotics01:22

Probiotics

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Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms that confer health benefits by modulating the gut microbiota. The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex microbial ecosystem, and the balance of this microbiota is crucial for digestive and systemic health. Among the most extensively studied and utilized probiotics are species formerly classified within the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These organisms not only naturally colonize the human gut but are also consumed through...
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Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

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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,...
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Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

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The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more...
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Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics01:29

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Microorganisms play a fundamental role in vaccine development, gene therapy, and therapeutic production. Their biological properties are harnessed to advance medicine and public health. Beyond immunization, microorganisms contribute to gut health, antibiotic synthesis, and genetic disease treatment.Live Attenuated and Inactivated VaccinesLive attenuated vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, utilize weakened forms of pathogens to closely resemble natural infections.
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Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
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The human microbiome and probiotics: implications for pediatrics.

James Versalovic1

  • 1Department of Pathology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex., USA.

Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism
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Summary

Probiotics show promise in altering the human microbiome for pediatric health, particularly in gastroenterology. Further research is needed to understand their full impact on gut, skin, and airway conditions.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Human Microbiome Research

Background:

  • Advances in understanding the human microbiome's composition and function across various body sites (gut, skin, airways) are crucial.
  • Interactions between microbes and between microbes and humans are key considerations for probiotic selection in pediatrics.
  • While microbiome composition is well-studied, its functional capacity and metabolic machinery remain areas with significant knowledge gaps.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the potential of probiotics in modulating the human microbiome's composition and function.
  • To review the beneficial effects of probiotics in pediatric gastroenterological diseases.
  • To investigate the potential role of probiotics in skin and airway conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing studies on probiotic effects on the human microbiome.
  • Analysis of clinical data regarding probiotic efficacy in pediatric diseases.
  • Exploration of potential mechanisms of probiotic action.

Main Results:

  • Probiotics appear capable of altering microbiome composition and function, based on limited data.
  • Beneficial effects of probiotics have been observed in pediatric gastroenterological conditions like necrotizing enterocolitis, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, acute gastroenteritis, and irritable bowel syndrome.
  • The impact of probiotics on microbiome function in skin and airway diseases (e.g., asthma, atopic dermatitis) is currently unclear.

Conclusions:

  • Probiotics may be integrated into dietary strategies to enhance microbiome function and promote health.
  • Enhanced understanding of probiotic-microbiome interactions will guide the selection of optimal probiotic strains for specific pediatric diseases.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the role of probiotics in non-gastrointestinal conditions.