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Mycobiota in gastrointestinal diseases
Pranab K Mukherjee1, Boualem Sendid2, Gautier Hoarau2
1Centre for Medical Mycology, University Hospitals Case Medical Centre, Case Western Reserve University, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-5028, USA.
Nature Reviews. Gastroenterology & Hepatology
|November 12, 2014
Summary
The gut mycobiota, or fungal community, plays a complex role in gastrointestinal health and disease. Fungi can actively influence inflammation and disease severity, requiring further research for novel treatments.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Mycology
- Microbiome Research
Background:
- The gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex fungal community (mycobiota) with active roles in health and disease.
- State-of-the-art technologies like next-generation sequencing are crucial for understanding the human mycobiome.
- Previous mycobiome research has primarily focused on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and graft-versus-host disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current findings on the relationship between gut mycobiota and gastrointestinal diseases.
- To present a model explaining the mechanisms of mycobiota involvement in gastrointestinal pathology.
- To highlight knowledge gaps and future research directions in the field.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing scientific literature on gut mycobiota and gastrointestinal diseases.
- Synthesis of data from studies utilizing advanced sequencing technologies.
- Development of a mechanistic model for mycobiota's role in disease.
Main Results:
- The gut mycobiome comprises numerous fungal genera and species, with Candida being dominant.
- Fungi are identified as active participants in gastrointestinal health and disease.
- Evidence suggests fungi contribute to inflammatory responses, exacerbating disease severity.
Conclusions:
- The gut mycobiota significantly influences gastrointestinal health and disease progression.
- Fungal involvement in gastrointestinal diseases is linked to increased inflammation and severity.
- Further research into the mycobiome is essential for developing new therapeutic strategies for gastrointestinal disorders.
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