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Related Concept Videos

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Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

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The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
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The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
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Natural flora, body system defenses, and inflammation are natural barriers of the body against infectious agents regardless of previous exposure. Normal floras of the human body refer to the microbial population that colonizes the skin and mucous membranes.
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Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics01:29

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Microorganisms play a fundamental role in vaccine development, gene therapy, and therapeutic production. Their biological properties are harnessed to advance medicine and public health. Beyond immunization, microorganisms contribute to gut health, antibiotic synthesis, and genetic disease treatment.Live Attenuated and Inactivated VaccinesLive attenuated vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, utilize weakened forms of pathogens to closely resemble natural infections.
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Infection01:20

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When a pathogen enters the body and reproduces, it can cause an infection, damage body cells, and cause illness symptoms that eventually lead to disease. Therefore, its prevention requires breaking the chain of infection.
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The gut microbiome is formed by a vast and diverse community of bacteria that colonizes our large intestine. These bacteria start residing in the gut from birth and continue diversifying throughout life, influenced by factors such as diet, lifestyle, and stress. The gut bacterial community also includes bacteria from food and those that enter the colon through the anus.
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Updated: Nov 5, 2025

Therapeutic Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Interleukin 10-Deficient Mouse Model
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Host microbiota can facilitate pathogen infection.

Emily J Stevens1, Kieran A Bates1, Kayla C King1

  • 1Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.

Plos Pathogens
|May 13, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The host microbiota can protect against infection or worsen disease by enabling pathogens. Understanding these interactions is key for developing microbiota-based therapies to manage infectious diseases.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Animals host diverse microbial communities (microbiota) essential for health.
  • Microbiota composition and function significantly influence host susceptibility to pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the dual role of host microbiota in infectious diseases.
  • To explore how microbiota can facilitate or exacerbate infections.
  • To discuss implications for microbiota-based disease management.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on host-microbiota interactions in infectious diseases.
  • Analysis of mechanisms by which microbiota influence pathogen invasion and virulence.
  • Synthesis of evolutionary and life-course perspectives.

Main Results:

  • Microbiota can provide protection against pathogens or, conversely, promote infection and disease severity.
  • Pathogens can exploit microbial metabolites and host immune changes facilitated by the microbiota.
  • Microbiota may influence the evolution of pathogen virulence.

Conclusions:

  • Host microbiota play a critical, multifaceted role in infectious disease dynamics.
  • Targeting the microbiota offers potential strategies for preventing and treating infections.
  • Further research is needed to harness microbiota manipulation for effective disease control.