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Updated: Jan 20, 2026
Investigating the Microbial Community in the Termite Hindgut - Interview
Published on: May 28, 2007
Fungi form interkingdom microbial communities in the primordial human gut that develop with gestational age
Kent A Willis1,2, John H Purvis1,2, Erin D Myers2
1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
Abstract:
Fungal and bacterial commensal organisms play a complex role in the health of the human host. Expansion of commensal ecology after birth is a critical period in human immune development. However, the initial fungal colonization of the primordial gut remains undescribed. To investigate primordial fungal ecology, we performed amplicon sequencing and culture-based techniques of first-pass meconium, which forms in the intestine prior to birth, from a prospective observational cohort of term and preterm newborns. Here, we describe fungal ecologies in the primordial gut that develop complexity with advancing gestational age at birth. Our findings suggest homeostasis of fungal commensals may represent an important aspect of human biology present even before birth. Unlike bacterial communities that gradually develop complexity, the domination of the fungal communities of some preterm infants by Saccromycetes, specifically Candida, may suggest a pathologic association with preterm birth.-Willis, K. A., Purvis, J. H., Myers, E. D., Aziz, M. M., Karabayir, I., Gomes, C. K., Peters, B. M., Akbilgic, O., Talati, A. J., Pierre, J. F. Fungi form interkingdom microbial communities in the primordial human gut that develop with gestational age.
Insights
Fungal communities in the infant gut develop before birth. This study reveals fungal ecology in meconium, showing complexity increases with gestational age, potentially impacting immune development.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Human Physiology
- Neonatal Health
Background:
- Commensal microorganisms are vital for human health and immune development.
- The early life microbiome, particularly fungal colonization, is crucial but poorly understood.
- The initial fungal ecology of the prenatal gut remains largely undescribed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the fungal ecology of the primordial human gut before birth.
- To characterize fungal communities in meconium from term and preterm newborns.
- To understand how fungal colonization develops with advancing gestational age.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of first-pass meconium samples from a cohort of term and preterm infants.
- Utilized amplicon sequencing and culture-based techniques.
- Examined fungal community composition and complexity.
Main Results:
- Fungal ecologies were identified in the primordial gut.
- Fungal community complexity increased with gestational age at birth.
- Preterm infants showed a dominance of Saccharomyces, specifically Candida, in fungal communities, suggesting a potential pathologic association.
Conclusions:
- Fungal commensals establish complex communities in the human gut even before birth.
- The development of fungal gut ecology correlates with gestational age.
- Fungal community dysbiosis, particularly Candida overgrowth, may be linked to preterm birth and warrants further investigation.
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