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Published on: November 17, 2018
Historical Perspective: Metchnikoff and the intestinal microbiome
1Centre for Immunobiology, Institute of Infection, Immunology and Inflammation, Sir Graeme Davies Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Abstract:
Metchnikoff's essay, Intestinal Bacteriotherapy, was written when the study of microbiology was still in its infancy and few intestinal diseases had been ascribed to a specific bacterial infection. Metchnikoff offered perceptive ideas that have become standard in today's science. This Historical Perspectives commentary examines how Metchnikoff's article influenced our field. An accompanying editorial by Siamon Gordon explores this topic further and describes the relevance of Metchnikoff's work to the current Covid-19 infection. We also include a translation of this fundamental article by Metchnikoff, as presented by Claudine Neyen.
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