Gut microbiota and fungi

The gut microbiota and fungi, collectively referred to as the gut microbiome and mycobiome, constitute a vast and diverse ecosystem of microorganisms inhabiting the human gastrointestinal tract (NIH, 2023). This community plays a fundamental role in human physiology, including the fermentation of non-digestible carbohydrates into short-chain fatty acids, the synthesis of vitamins K and B12, and the maturation of the host immune system (Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2022). While bacteria dominate the biomass, the fungal component (mycobiome) is increasingly recognized for its role in modulating host inflammatory responses and interacting with bacterial species (Cell Host & Microbe, 2021). Dysbiosis, or the disruption of this microbial balance, is implicated in a wide range of pathologies, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), obesity, and colorectal cancer (PubMed, 2023). Therapeutic interventions targeting this system include antibiotics, antifungals, probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), which aim to restore a healthy microbial equilibrium (StatPearls, 2023).

Other names

Gut microbiomeGut mycobiomeIntestinal microbiotaGastrointestinal floraMycobiota

Modulation of microbial community composition, competitive exclusion of pathogens, and restoration of metabolic homeostasis.