Host gut microbiota (HGM)

The host gut microbiota refers to the complex community of trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and archaea, residing in the human gastrointestinal tract (NIH, 2023). This ecosystem plays a fundamental role in human health by aiding in the digestion of complex carbohydrates, synthesizing essential vitamins like B12 and K, and training the host immune system to distinguish between commensal and pathogenic organisms (Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2022). Dysbiosis, or a pathological imbalance in this microbial community, is linked to a wide range of conditions, including Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and metabolic disorders (StatPearls, 2023). Therapeutic interventions targeting the gut microbiota include fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), probiotics, prebiotics, and recently approved engineered microbial consortia like Vowst and Rebyota, which aim to restore ecological stability and functional diversity (FDA, 2023). As a therapeutic target, the gut microbiota is unique because it involves modulating an entire biological system rather than a single molecular pathway, offering a holistic approach to treating systemic and localized diseases (Cell, 2021).

Other names

Gut microbiomeIntestinal floraIntestinal ecosystemGastrointestinal microbiotaCommensal gut bacteria

Restoration of microbial diversity and ecological balance to suppress pathogens (competitive exclusion) and modulate host physiological processes through the production of bioactive metabolites like short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) (Nature, 2020).