Diversity of the Human Intestinal Microbial Flora

Overview

Journal Science

Specialty Science

Date 2005 Apr 16

PMID 15831718

Citations 3276

Authors

Paul B Eckburg

Elisabeth M Bik

Charles N Bernstein

Elizabeth Purdom

Les Dethlefsen

Michael Sargent

Steven R Gill

Karen E Nelson

David A Relman

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The human endogenous intestinal microflora is an essential "organ" in providing nourishment, regulating epithelial development, and instructing innate immunity; yet, surprisingly, basic features remain poorly described. We examined 13,355 prokaryotic ribosomal RNA gene sequences from multiple colonic mucosal sites and feces of healthy subjects to improve our understanding of gut microbial diversity. A majority of the bacterial sequences corresponded to uncultivated species and novel microorganisms. We discovered significant intersubject variability and differences between stool and mucosa community composition. Characterization of this immensely diverse ecosystem is the first step in elucidating its role in health and disease.

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