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Published on: August 30, 2016
Human microbiome acquisition and transmission
Vitor Heidrich1, Mireia Valles-Colomer2, Nicola Segata3,4,5
1Department CIBIO, University of Trento, Trento, Italy.
Abstract:
As humans, we host personal microbiomes intricately connected to our biology and health. Far from being isolated entities, our microbiomes are dynamically shaped by microbial exchange with the surroundings, in lifelong microbiome acquisition and transmission processes. In this Review, we explore recent studies on how our microbiomes are transmitted, beginning at birth and during interactions with other humans and the environment. We also describe the key methodological aspects of transmission inference, based on the uniqueness of the building blocks of the microbiome - single microbial strains. A better understanding of human microbiome transmission will have implications for studies of microbial host regulation, of microbiome-associated diseases, and for effective microbiome-targeting strategies. Besides exchanging strains with other humans, there is also preliminary evidence we acquire microorganisms from animals and food, and thus a complete understanding of microbiome acquisition and transmission can only be attained by adopting a One Health perspective.
Insights
Human microbiomes are acquired and transmitted throughout life via interactions with people and the environment. Understanding these transmission dynamics is crucial for health and disease research.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Human Health
- Microbiome Research
Background:
- Personal microbiomes are integral to human biology and health.
- Microbiomes are not static but are continuously shaped by microbial exchange.
- Lifelong processes of microbiome acquisition and transmission occur throughout human life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent studies on human microbiome transmission pathways.
- To explore methodological approaches for inferring microbiome transmission.
- To highlight the implications of microbiome transmission for host regulation and disease.
Main Methods:
- Review of current scientific literature on microbiome transmission.
- Analysis of studies focusing on microbial strain uniqueness for transmission inference.
- Examination of data from birth, human-to-human, and environmental interactions.
Main Results:
- Microbiome acquisition begins at birth and continues through various interactions.
- Single microbial strains serve as unique markers for tracking transmission.
- Evidence suggests acquisition from animals and food, necessitating a broader perspective.
Conclusions:
- Understanding human microbiome transmission is key to advancing microbiome-associated disease research.
- Effective microbiome-targeting strategies depend on knowledge of transmission dynamics.
- A One Health perspective is essential for a comprehensive understanding of microbiome acquisition and transmission.
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