Composition of Gut microbiota The main factors that affect the composition of gut microbial are age, diet, antibiotic use and genetics. These factors change the gut microbiota by changing the selective environment of the gut. Although we can gain new gut microbes during our life, most of the changes that occur are changes in the relative abundance of the microbes already in our guts. We start with a sterile gut and gain microbes during and after birth. At birth, infants show a low diversity of microbes which are experimentally shown to be associated with their mode of delivery. The intestinal microbiota of infants delivered through the vagina contain microbes present in the mother’s vagina and feces. These microbes are usually of the Lactobacillus and …show more content…
Furthermore, the mode of feeding also impacts the diversity of composition. Infants that are breastfed differ because they show a higher number of Streptococci (1). When the infant reaches the between the ages of 2-5, microbiota looks very similar to that of an adult with signs of stability (9). Throughout adulthood, the microbiota then stabilizes and changes are seen only with long-term changes in diet, lifestyle or antibiotic use. Long term and short term changes in the diet can shift the composition of the intestinal microbiota. For example, a diet with more carbohydrates shows an increase of prevotella bacteria whereas a protein based diet would show bacteroides bacteria. Cross sectional studies between Western countries and Rural Africa and South America show a diverse composition in the microbial intestine depending on whether they have a more plant based diet, meat diet, etc. (10). Along with its various roles, the resident microbiota in the in the GIT break down the dietary constituents. The majority of the bacteria are able to ferment carbohydrates while other bacterium types can ferment simple and complex sugars and polysaccharides (13). In this way, through our diet, we
The helicobacter pylori bacterium also commonly known as H. pylori is a spiral shaped bacterium that is often found growing in the digestive tract. H. pylori bacteria are found in more than half of the world’s population. The bacteria normally attack the lining of the stomach and the small intestines. Although they are present in many people the H. pylori bacteria is usually harmless. The bacteria are adapted to live and survive in the acidic environment of the digestive tract. Furthermore, H. pylori reduces the acidity of the environment around it to survive and will penetrate the lining of the stomach and small intestines where the mucus lining protects it from the body’s immune cells. H. pylori sometimes can interfere with the body’s immune response to ensure their survival and this causes stomach problems (Flemin & Alcamo, 2007).
Jennifer Ackerman's main focus in her article The Ultimate Social Network, is that of the functions concerning bacteria within humans. Although scientists have had presumptions about humans being proficient in governing their body’s innermost structure, they soon come to recognize the sophistication of our inner space which holds an extensive plethora of bacteria and other microorganisms that lie within each and every one of us. Moreover, scientists' new and emerging view of how the human body operates, and the cause of increasing present-day diseases (i.e. obesity and different autoimmune disorders) are uncovered by analyzing effects of certain microbe species in our bodies. By italicizing on points such as the above, in conjunction with bacteria's genetic variations, and modern computing technology, the author proves that scientists are quickly progressing with the characterization the most prevalent species of microbes, which, in her opinion, is definitely paying off.
Bacteria play a large role in our health, the environment, and most aspects of life. They can be used in beneficial ways, such as decomposing wastes, enhancing fertilizer for crops, and breaking down of substances that our bodies cannot. However, many bacteria can also be very harmful by causing disease. Understanding how to identify bacteria has numerous applications and is incredibly important for anyone planning to enter the medical field or begin a career in research. Having the background knowledge of identifying an unknown bacteria may one day aid healthcare professionals diagnose their patient with a particular bacterial infection or help researchers determine various clinical, agricultural, and numerous other uses for bacteria.
E. coli are bacteria that can cause an infection in various parts of your body, including your intestines. E. coli bacteria normally live in the intestines of people and animals. Most types of E. coli do not cause infections, but some produce a poison (toxin) that can cause diarrhea. Depending on the toxin, this can cause mild or severe diarrhea.
The digestive system, in organisms like the mink and human, is supposed to break down the food being eaten to transfer into energy. This energy helps other functions of the body that would in turn keep it alive. The digestive system includes organs such as the stomach, intestines, liver, etc. Digestion starts at the mouth, though.
Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are both in a category of diseases called Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. This is a classification of disease in which inflammation forms in a part of the digestive tract, known as the gastrointestinal tract or GI tract, of the patient. The immune system then treats this area of inflammation as a foreign pathogen and attacks it. The causes of both of these diseases are currently unknown to the medical world.
The digestive system is a group of organs that works together to convert food into energy and basic nutrients that will feed the entire body. The digestive system breaks down food so nutrients can be absorbed by the body. The digestive system has three main functions. First, it ingests food then breaks it down so nutrients can be absorbed and it also eliminates what cannot be digested.
Every human has microbiomes that are personalized for the individual and are extremely important to maintaining a good health standing, however, these microbiomes can be capable of contracting a disease. One of the most common areas for these microbiomes to contract something that could be harmful to the person’s health is called the oral microbiomes, which are found in the mouths of humans. Within the biofilms of the oral cavity, rests these oral microbiomes that maintain a healthy equilibrium in the mouth. However, if not taken care of properly, oral microbiomes can be taken over by a pathogen that can quickly turn the state of the person’s mouth from a healthy equilibrium to a very unhealthy equilibrium (1). Some bacteria found in the oral cavity can be an extremely danger.
“Commercially prepared infant formulas are a nourishing alternative to breast milk, and even contains vitamins and nutrients that breastfed infants need to get from supplements (Pearl, E., 2015). Breastfeeding is proven to strengthen the immune system for children of all ages. While a mother nurses the infant, the mother passes down nutrients and antibodies from the milk the babies drink while nursing. Like immunizations building invulnerabilities for people destructive illnesses, breast milk gives additional antibodies to infants to help them. Nursing sessions are less demanding to retain and process the formula since it contains living development elements, hormones, and chemicals which help an infant to effectively process all healthy intake from each feeding (The Office on Women’s Health, 2012). Further, in creating nations, scientists found that for newborn children who were not breastfed have danger of dying from irresistible infections, in the primary month is six times more prominent than babies who were breastfed (Chen and Rogan, 2004). Children that are breastfed have less problems with digestive systems due to the breast milk, a standout amongst the most essential advantages of breast milk is the containing living parts, for example, contamination battling antibodies, white platelets, red platelets, and hostile to viral components (Taylor, 2013). All which are essential to the growth of a newborn's digestive system that formula does not
Diabetes is a metabolic disease, that causes a person to have high blood pressure. There are two kinds of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. Type 1 is the loss of insulin producing cells, leading to a deficiency of insulin. Type 2 diabetes is where the person is insulin resistant. Insulin is a peptide hormone, which causes cells to absorb the various glucose it requires. Type 2 diabetes is the most widespread endocrine disease worldwide. Metagenome wide associated study took on a study that was based on the determination of type 2 diabetes and relationship to gut microbial by using the deep shot gun sequencing of the gut microbial. The study consisted of 345 Chinese's individuals that were used to help find any relationships. 60000 type 2 diabetes associated markers were used and linked to type 2 diabetes. Gut microbes are living organisms that live in the gut and the digestive tract. Patients with type 2 diabetes were characterized by a moderate degree of gut microbial symbiosis. Symbiosis is a interaction between different microbial organisms, there are various types of symbiosis such as mutalistic, parasitic and communalistic. The abundance of butyrate producing bacteria as well as the opportunistic pathogens were determined as well. Enrichment of microbial functions due to sulphate reduction and oxidative stress resistance was found. Further studies were also performed with addition of individuals to the study. Gut microbial markers may be useful for classifying type 2 diabetes.
Among hospitalized patients around the world, Clostridium difficile is the primary source of infectious diarrhea. Previously, continuously unbalanced intestinal microbiota, usually due to antimicrobials, was deemed a precondition of developing the infection. However, recently, there have been alterations in the biology from virtually infecting the elderly population exclusively, wherein the microbiota in their guts have been interrupted by antimicrobials, to currently infecting individuals within of all age groups displaying no recent antimicrobial use. Furthermore, recent reports have confirmed critical occurrences among groups previously assumed to be of minimal risk—pregnant women, children, and individuals with no previous exposure to antimicrobials, for instance. Unfortunately, this Gram-positive, toxin-producing anaerobic bacterium is estimated to cost US critical care facilities $800 million per year at present, suggesting the need for effective measures to eliminate this nosocomial infection (Yakob, Riley, Paterson, & Clements, 2013).
Enterococcus faecalis is a genus of gram positive cocci and form short chains or are arranged in pairs. They are nonmotile, facultative anaerobic organisms and can survive in harsh conditions in nature. There are over 15 species of the Enterococcus genus but about 90% of clinical isolates are E. faecalis. E. faecalis is a nosocomial pathogen because it is commonly found in the hospital environment and can cause life-threatening infections in humans. It is a bacterium that normally inhabits the intestinal tract in humans and animals but when found in other body locations it can cause serious infections. The most common sites for E. faecalis infections are the heart, bloodstream, urinary tract, and skin wounds. Due to vancomycin-resistant Enterococci, many antibiotics have been shown ineffective in the treatment. In this paper, I will describe the ecology and pathology of E. faecalis; the antibacterial resistance; treatment; and, what you can do to prevent Enterococcus infection.
... family members on the dangers of GAS and other microbial infection during and after pregnancy.
Ulcerative colitis, or UC, is a chronic gastrointestinal disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the large intestine. It causes ulcers in the colon and rectum. Ulcerative colitis is one of two forms of inflammatory bowel disease. In UC, the inflammation from the ulcers breaks down the lining of the colon and causes bleeding and discomfort in the abdomen.
Microbes are microscopic life forms, usually too small to be seen by the naked eye. Although many microbes are single-celled, there are also numerous multi-cellular organisms. The human body has 10-100 trillion microbes living on it, making it one giant super-organism. Since the first link between microbes and diseases was made, people have been advised to wash their hands. Scientists, however, have recently started to investigate more closely how the microbes that call the human body home affect our health. While some microbes cause disease, others are more beneficial, working with our bodies in many subtle ways.