Multidrug-resistant or dysbiotic intestinal taxa (MDR/Dysbiotic Gut Microbiota)

Multidrug-resistant or dysbiotic intestinal taxa refer to populations of gut microorganisms that have either developed resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents or have undergone a shift in composition that disrupts host homeostasis (Gupta et al., 2016). This state of dysbiosis is often characterized by a loss of microbial diversity and the overgrowth of opportunistic pathogens, known as pathobionts, which can lead to local and systemic diseases such as Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) (Buffie et al., 2013). Therapeutic interventions targeting these taxa aim to restore a healthy microbial balance and eliminate resistant strains through methods such as fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and live biotherapeutic products (LBPs) like Rebyota and Vowst (FDA, 2022; FDA, 2023). By re-establishing competitive exclusion and normal metabolic functions, these treatments help prevent recurrent infections and mitigate the spread of antibiotic resistance (Pickard et al., 2017). Understanding the complex interactions within the gut microbiome is crucial for developing precision medicines that can selectively modulate these taxa to improve patient outcomes (Clemente et al., 2012).

Other names

Gut microbiotaIntestinal dysbiosisMultidrug-resistant organismsMDROsPathobiontsDysbiotic gut floraGastrointestinal microbiome

Restoration of microbial diversity and competitive exclusion of pathogens through the reintroduction of commensal bacteria, which compete for nutrients and niches, and produce metabolites like secondary bile acids that inhibit pathogen growth (Buffie et al., 2013; Pickard et al., 2017).