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Related Concept Videos

Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

48
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,...
48
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

21
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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The Oral Microbiota01:27

The Oral Microbiota

36
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...
36
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

18
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...
18
Functions of the Gut Microbiota01:18

Functions of the Gut Microbiota

45
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...
45
Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine

33
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,...
33

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Therapeutic Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Interleukin 10-Deficient Mouse Model
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The microbiome and critical illness.

Robert P Dickson1

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.

The Lancet. Respiratory Medicine
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The human microbiome significantly impacts critical illness, influencing disease susceptibility and outcomes. Targeting the microbiome offers a promising strategy for preventing and treating critical conditions.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The microbiome plays a central role in critical illness, with extensive research spanning decades.
  • Critical illness and intensive care interventions profoundly disrupt the microbiome.
  • The microbiome influences disease susceptibility and can be manipulated to prevent or modulate critical illness.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the microbial ecology of critically ill patients.
  • To discuss gut-derived sepsis and the altered alveolar ecosystem.
  • To explore the potential of microbiome-targeted therapies for critical illness.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of experimental and clinical studies.
  • Analysis of culture-independent microbiology data.
  • Survey of patient susceptibility and disease modulation.

Main Results:

  • Critical illness and intensive care substantially alter the microbiome.
  • The microbiome predicts susceptibility to critical illness.
  • Microbiome manipulation has shown promise in animal models and clinical trials.

Conclusions:

  • Culture-independent microbiology tools enable rational targeting of the microbiome.
  • Microbiome-based strategies hold promise for improving acute and chronic outcomes in critically ill patients.