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Transformation of Probiotic Yeast and Their Recovery from Gastrointestinal Immune Tissues Following Oral Gavage in Mice
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Yeasts in the gastrointestinal tract

Katherine D Mueller1, Soo Chan Lee1

  • 1Department of Immunology and Molecular Microbiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, United States.

FEMS Yeast Research
|June 30, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Fungi, particularly yeasts, play a significant role in human gut health and immunity. This review explores their associations with inflammatory bowel diseases, potential in cancer therapy, and therapeutic applications.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • The human gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota modulates host health.
  • Interest in gut fungi, especially yeasts, has historically lagged behind bacteria.
  • Fungi are prevalent in the GI tract and significantly impact host immunity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the associations between yeasts and human health outcomes.
  • To review the role of yeasts in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).
  • To explore the potential of yeasts in cancer therapy and as therapeutic agents.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies on gut fungi and human health.
  • Analysis of associations between specific yeasts and IBD.
  • Evaluation of current research on fungal biomarkers for cancer therapy.
  • Exploration of the therapeutic potential of yeasts.

Main Results:

  • Yeasts are associated with inflammatory bowel diseases.
  • Fungal presence may predict outcomes in cancer therapy.
  • Yeasts show potential as therapeutic effectors in the GI tract.

Conclusions:

  • Despite challenges in data analysis and understanding fungal morphology, yeasts offer promising clinical translation pathways.
  • Further research into the GI mycobiome is warranted to harness its therapeutic potential.
  • Yeasts represent a significant, yet understudied, component of the human gut.
Keywords:
fungal microbiomefungi in GI tractinflammatory bowel diseasesmycobiomeprobiotics

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