Garcia-Bonete MJ, Rajan A, Suriano F, Layunta E. The Underrated Gut Microbiota Helminths, Bacteriophages, Fungi, and Archaea.
Life (Basel) 2023;
13:1765. [PMID:
37629622 PMCID:
PMC10455619 DOI:
10.3390/life13081765]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The microbiota inhabits the gastrointestinal tract, providing essential capacities to the host. The microbiota is a crucial factor in intestinal health and regulates intestinal physiology. However, microbiota disturbances, named dysbiosis, can disrupt intestinal homeostasis, leading to the development of diseases. Classically, the microbiota has been referred to as bacteria, though other organisms form this complex group, including viruses, archaea, and eukaryotes such as fungi and protozoa. This review aims to clarify the role of helminths, bacteriophages, fungi, and archaea in intestinal homeostasis and diseases, their interaction with bacteria, and their use as therapeutic targets in intestinal maladies.
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