Human intestinal and skin microbiota

The human intestinal and skin microbiota are vast, diverse ecosystems comprising trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and archaea, that reside on and within the human body [1]. The intestinal microbiota is essential for the fermentation of non-digestible dietary fibers into short-chain fatty acids, the synthesis of vitamins K and B12, and the maturation of the host immune system [2]. Similarly, the skin microbiota acts as a biological barrier, producing antimicrobial peptides and competing with pathogens to maintain skin health [3]. Disruptions in these communities, known as dysbiosis, are strongly associated with local and systemic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and atopic dermatitis [4]. Therapeutic strategies targeting these microbiota include the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplants to restore ecological balance and improve clinical outcomes [5].

Other names

Human microbiomeGut-skin axis microbiotaCommensal microfloraIntestinal floraSkin flora

Modulation of microbial community structure and metabolic output to restore host-microbe homeostasis [5].