Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 18, 2026
05:27
An Intestinal Gut Organ Culture System for Analyzing Host-Microbiota Interactions
Published on: June 30, 2021
5.2K
A single genus in the gut microbiome reflects host preference and specificity
A Murat Eren1, Mitchell L Sogin1, Hilary G Morrison1
1Josephine Bay Paul Center, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, USA.
The ISME Journal
|June 18, 2014
Summary
The Blautia genus in the gut microbiome shows host-specific patterns, with certain strains shared across human populations. These Blautia strains can serve as markers for detecting human fecal contamination in environmental samples.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Environmental Science
- Human Health
Background:
- Gut microbiome composition varies between hosts, impacting human health and pathogen detection.
- The microbial genus Blautia plays a role in nutrient assimilation and may exhibit host-related patterns.
- Understanding host-specific microbial patterns is crucial for public health and environmental monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate host-specific patterns within the Blautia genus in the gut microbiome.
- To identify potential Blautia strains that can serve as markers for human fecal contamination.
- To explore the influence of host physiology versus diet on Blautia distribution.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed 57 million sequence reads of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene V6 region from seven host species.
- Utilized oligotyping to identify high-resolution taxonomic units within the Blautia genus.
- Compared Blautia oligotype distribution in fecal and sewage samples from various human and animal populations.
Main Results:
- Identified 200 Blautia oligotypes, with 13 showing host-specificity across humans, swine, cows, deer, and chickens.
- Discovered remarkable continuity of Blautia oligotypes in human fecal and sewage samples, regardless of geographic location or population size.
- Found that 75% of Blautia oligotypes in Brazilian human samples matched those in US sewage samples.
- Determined that host physiology, rather than diet, primarily drives host-specificity and preference patterns in Blautia.
Conclusions:
- A universal set of Blautia strains is shared among diverse human populations, indicating their potential as markers for human fecal contamination.
- Blautia oligotypes can be reliably used to assess human fecal contamination in environmental samples.
- Host physiology is a more significant factor than diet in shaping the distribution patterns of Blautia within and across hosts.
Related Concept Videos
01:08Evolution of Microbial Genome
2
Microbial genome evolution is a highly dynamic process shaped by continual gene gain and loss across species and strains. This genomic flexibility allows microorganisms to adapt rapidly to environmental pressures and interactions with other organisms. Central to understanding this diversity is the distinction between the core and pan genomes.The core genome comprises the genes shared by all sampled strains of a species, representing essential functions needed for fundamental cellular processes.
2
01:22Introduction to the Human Microbiota
22
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,...
22
01:27Microbiota of the Large Intestine
1
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...
1
01:27Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine
1
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,...
1
01:18Functions of the Gut Microbiota
1
The gut microbiota includes trillions of microorganisms that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. This complex ecosystem plays a critical role in maintaining intestinal and systemic health. Most of these microbes inhabit the large intestine, establishing a relatively stable and diverse community that contributes to gut homeostasis through various metabolic, immunological, and protective mechanisms.Dominant bacterial phyla, such as...
1
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
5
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...
5