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Related Concept Videos

Human Virome01:26

Human Virome

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The human body harbors a vast and diverse viral community known as the human virome. The virome includes bacteriophages that infect bacteria, and eukaryotic viruses that infect human cells. Transient dietary and environmental viruses also contribute to this dynamic ecosystem. Estimates suggest the human body may contain on the order of 10¹³ viral particles, though abundance varies widely by body site and detection method.Comprehensive characterization of the virome has become possible...
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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

Development of Human Microbiota

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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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Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract01:28

Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract

53
The human urogenital system, once thought to be sterile in healthy individuals, is now recognized as a complex microbial habitat. Advancements in molecular sequencing techniques have revealed that even in healthy adults, the kidneys and bladder harbor microbial populations similar to those found in the distal urethra, albeit in much lower abundance. These resident microorganisms, while generally innocuous, can become opportunistic pathogens under conditions that alter the urogenital...
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The Skin Microbiota01:27

The Skin Microbiota

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The human skin serves as a complex ecosystem inhabited by a diverse community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining skin health and defending against pathogenic invaders. The composition of microbial communities varies significantly across different regions of the body, influenced primarily by the local levels of moisture and sebum.Regional Variation in Skin MicrobiotaCutibacterium acnes predominantly colonizes sebaceous...
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The Oral Microbiota01:27

The Oral Microbiota

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The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
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Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
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Viruses and microbiome alterations.

Susan V Lynch1

  • 11 Division of Gastroenterology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.

Annals of the American Thoracic Society
|January 21, 2014
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The human microbiome, especially Lactobacillus in the gut and lungs, influences respiratory viral infection severity. Viral infections can also alter the respiratory microbiome, increasing risks of secondary bacterial infections.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Viral respiratory infections pose significant health risks, especially for vulnerable populations.
  • Individual responses to the same viral strain vary, with factors beyond viral properties influencing outcomes.
  • The respiratory tract is a primary site for viral exposure and infection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on the human microbiome's role in respiratory viral infections.
  • To explore how microbiome composition influences infection severity and outcomes.
  • To examine the bidirectional relationship between viral infection and airway microbiota.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of human microbiome research.
  • Analysis of studies investigating respiratory viral infections and their impact on microbiota.
  • Synthesis of evidence linking specific microbial genera, like Lactobacillus, to infection outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Interpersonal variations in pulmonary and gastrointestinal microbiome composition are key to respiratory viral infection outcomes.
  • Members of the Lactobacillus genus are specifically implicated in modulating infection severity.
  • Viral infections can alter the respiratory microbiome, promoting an environment conducive to secondary bacterial infections.

Conclusions:

  • The human microbiome plays a critical role in determining the clinical course of respiratory viral infections.
  • Targeting or understanding the microbiome may offer novel strategies for managing viral respiratory diseases.
  • Further research into the microbiome-virus-bacteria interactions is warranted to improve patient care.