The First Microbial Colonizers of the Human Gut: Composition, Activities, and Health Implications of the Infant Gut Microbiota
University of Parma · National University of Ireland · +6 more institutions
Abstract
The human gut microbiota is engaged in multiple interactions affecting host health during the host's entire life span. Microbes colonize the neonatal gut immediately following birth. The establishment and interactive development of this early gut microbiota are believed to be (at least partially) driven and modulated by specific compounds present in human milk. It has been shown that certain genomes of infant gut commensals, in particular those of bifidobacterial species, are genetically adapted to utilize specific glycans of this human secretory fluid, thus representing a very intriguing example of host-microbe coevolution, where both partners are believed to benefit. In recent years, various metagenomic…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 45.75
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 539
Authors
18Topics & keywords
- Biology
- Gut flora
- Microbiome
- Metagenomics
- Commensalism
- Human microbiome
- Host (biology)
- Ecological niche