Compositional and Functional Features of the Gastrointestinal Microbiome and Their Effects on Human Health

Overview

Journal Gastroenterology

Specialty Gastroenterology

Date 2014 Feb 4

PMID 24486050

Citations 189

Authors

Emily B Hollister

Chunxu Gao

James Versalovic

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The human gastrointestinal tract contains distinct microbial communities that differ in composition and function based on their location, as well as age, sex, race/ethnicity, and diet of their host. We describe the bacterial taxa present in different locations of the GI tract, and their specific metabolic features. The distinct features of these specific microbial communities might affect human health and disease. Several bacterial taxa and metabolic modules (biochemical functions) have been associated with human health and the absence of disease. Core features of the healthy microbiome might be defined and targeted to prevent disease and optimize human health.

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