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Related Concept Videos

Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity, and disease...
The Oral Microbiota01:27

The Oral Microbiota

The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
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Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Microbiome of the Eye01:22

Microbiome of the Eye

The human eye has a specialized microbiota that reflects its unique anatomical and immunological environment. This low-biomass microbial community predominantly colonizes the conjunctiva and eyelid margins, playing a vital role in ocular surface homeostasis and defense. Despite its proximity to the richly colonized facial skin, the ocular surface maintains a distinct microbial profile due to continuous mechanical and biochemical defense mechanisms.The conjunctival surface hosts fewer microbial...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...

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Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Assessing the Viability of a Synthetic Bacterial Consortium on the In Vitro Gut Host-microbe Interface
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Overview of head & neck microbiota.

R D Jayasinghe1, K S N D Gunawardhana2, Kalpani Senevirathna3

  • 1Department of Oral Medicine & Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

Advances in Immunology
|July 8, 2026
PubMed
Summary

The human microbiome, particularly in the head and neck, plays a crucial role in health and disease. Dysbiosis, or microbial imbalance, is increasingly linked to head and neck cancers, influencing their development and progression.

Keywords:
CarcinogenesisHead and neck microbiotaHead and neck squamous cell carcinomaImmune modulationMicrobial dysbiosisOral microbiome

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Last Updated: Jul 10, 2026

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiome research
  • Head and neck oncology
  • Oral and upper aerodigestive tract microbiology

Background:

  • The human oral cavity and upper aerodigestive tract host complex microbial ecosystems essential for mucosal homeostasis.
  • These microbial communities maintain health through colonization resistance, metabolic functions, immune modulation, and epithelial protection.
  • Disruption of this balance (dysbiosis) leads to inflammation, epithelial damage, and cancer development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of head and neck microbiota composition, organization, and function.
  • To emphasize the role of microbial dysbiosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.
  • To explore the potential of microbiome-based strategies for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on head and neck microbiota and cancer.
  • Analysis of microbial roles in maintaining homeostasis and promoting carcinogenesis.
  • Synthesis of information on microbial consortia and their impact on the tumor microenvironment.

Main Results:

  • Head and neck cancers are associated with specific microbial alterations and dysbiosis.
  • Microbial communities, not single pathogens, contribute to a pro-tumorigenic microenvironment.
  • Mechanisms include immune dysregulation, metabolic carcinogen production, and oncogenic pathway activation.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding head and neck microbiota is critical for comprehending cancer initiation and progression.
  • Microbiome-based biomarkers and therapeutics hold promise for head and neck oncology.
  • Targeting microbial dysbiosis could offer novel preventive and therapeutic strategies.