Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 24, 2026

13:50
Sequencing of Bacterial Microflora in Peripheral Blood: our Experience with HIV-infected Patients
Published on: June 11, 2011
12.8K
The HIV-Associated Enteric Microbiome Has Gone Viral
Brent E Palmer1, Sam X Li1, Catherine A Lozupone1
1Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Cell Host & Microbe
|March 11, 2016
Summary
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection alters the gut microbiome. Recent studies highlight the enteric virome
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- HIV infection significantly impacts the gut microbiome, particularly enteric bacteria.
- Knowledge regarding other gut microbiome components in HIV infection remains limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the enteric virome in HIV-associated gastroenteritis.
- To elucidate the contribution of the enteric virome to HIV pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of enteric virome composition in individuals with HIV.
- Correlation of virome alterations with gastroenteritis and disease progression.
Main Results:
- The enteric virome plays an under-appreciated role in HIV infection.
- Specific viral alterations are linked to HIV-associated gastroenteritis and pathogenesis.
Conclusions:
- The enteric virome is a critical factor in understanding HIV-associated gastrointestinal complications.
- Targeting the enteric virome may offer new therapeutic strategies for HIV patients.
Related Concept Videos
Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine
11
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,...
11
Microbiota of the Large Intestine
8
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...
8
Introduction to the Human Microbiota
34
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,...
34
Development of Human Microbiota
14
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...
14
Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract
19
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...
19
Human Virome
32
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...
32

