Open AccessWhy related bacterial species bloom simultaneously in the gut: principles underlying the ‘Like will to like’ concept
Author(s) -
Winter Sebastian E.,
Bäumler Andreas J.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
cellular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.542
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1462-5822
pISSN - 1462-5814
DOI - 10.1111/cmi.12245
Subject(s) - clostridia , biology , obligate , obligate anaerobe , dysbiosis , proteobacteria , facultative , firmicutes , abundance (ecology) , clostridium , host (biology) , anaerobic bacteria , bloom , ecology , gut flora , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , immunology , genetics , 16s ribosomal rna
Summary The large intestine is host to a complex ecological community composed predominantly of obligate anaerobic bacteria belonging to the classes B acteroidia and C lostridia. This community confers benefits through its metabolic activities and host interactions. However, a microbial imbalance (dysbiosis) characterized by a decreased abundance of C lostridia and a bloom of facultative anaerobic P roteobacteria is commonly observed during inflammation in the large bowel. Here we review recent insights into the principles that favour simultaneous increases in the abundance of closely related species belonging to the P roteobacteria during inflammation, which provides important clues for the rational design of strategies to treat dysbiosis.