Gut microbiota and enteric pathogens

The gut microbiota is a complex ecosystem of trillions of microorganisms inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract that performs essential metabolic, structural, and protective functions (Guinane & Cotter, 2013, Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology). It is fundamental to the development of the mucosal immune system and provides colonization resistance against enteric pathogens such as Clostridioides difficile and Salmonella (Thielman & Guerrant, 2004, NEJM). When the balance of this community is disrupted, a state known as dysbiosis, it can lead to local infections, inflammatory bowel diseases, and systemic metabolic disorders (Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2019). Enteric pathogens are specific harmful microorganisms that can outcompete commensal bacteria during dysbiosis, leading to acute or chronic gastrointestinal disease (NIH, 2022). Therapeutic strategies targeting this system do not typically involve a single molecular receptor but rather aim to modulate the microbial population through antibiotics, probiotics, or live biotherapeutic products (FDA, 2023). These interventions seek to restore a healthy microbial composition or directly eliminate pathogenic threats to re-establish intestinal homeostasis. Emerging treatments like fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) demonstrate the potential of using whole microbial communities as a therapeutic modality (StatPearls, 2023). However, the complexity of these interactions makes standardized drug development challenging compared to traditional single-molecule targets.

Other names

Gut floraIntestinal microbiomeGastrointestinal microbiotaEnteric bacteriaGut microbiome

Modulation of microbial community composition and restoration of ecological homeostasis