Microbiomes and Their Health Impact

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of faecal transplants in treating Clostridium difficile infections?

To kill all existing bacteria in the gut

To increase the acidity of the gut

To introduce synthetic drugs to the gut

To repopulate the gut with healthy bacteria (correct)

What is the success rate of faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) via colonoscopy for treating C. difficile?

100%

50%

70%

90% (correct)

What is a significant risk associated with faecal transplants?

Immediate allergic reactions

Exposure to unknown pathogens (correct)

Chronic pain in the abdomen

Increased blood pressure

How long has faecal microbiota transplantation been used in medical practice?

About 2000 years Signup and view all the answers

What other conditions have shown much less success with faecal microbiota transplantation, compared to C. difficile infections?

Inflammatory bowel diseases Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of whole genome sequencing (WGS) compared to 16S sequencing?

WGS provides more accurate functional information. Signup and view all the answers

Where in the human body are microbial communities predominantly found?

In various locations including the colon, skin, and teeth. Signup and view all the answers

What factor predominantly influences the composition of microbial communities in the human body?

Dietary intake. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the microbial community in the human body is considered non-culturable?

80% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following methods is NOT commonly used to study microbiomes?

Traditional culturing. Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common genus of bacteria found in the colon?

Bacteroides. Signup and view all the answers

What role do microbial communities play in human health?

They metabolise complex carbohydrates and synthesize micronutrients. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about microbial communities is TRUE?

Microbial communities are complex, stable, and interdependent. Signup and view all the answers

Which short-chain fatty acid is considered the most abundant?

Butyrate Signup and view all the answers

What effect does butyrate have on intestinal epithelial cells?

Has an anti-inflammatory effect Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors plays a role in the interplay of inflammatory bowel disease?

Host genetic factors, innate and adaptive immune response, and microbiota Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant concern regarding the efficacy of probiotics?

Limited evidence for their efficacy Signup and view all the answers

Which disease is not typically associated with inflammatory bowel disease?

Halitosis Signup and view all the answers

What process is associated with bacterial infiltration in inflammatory bowel disease?

Drives inflammation Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of the intestinal immune system?

It is specialized to handle food and gut bacteria Signup and view all the answers

What is a common product of bacterial fermentation of dietary fiber?

Acetic acid Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Gut Feeling: Examining Microbiomes and Their Impact

The study examines microbiomes and their impact.
The presenter is Simon Milling.
Research is supported by Cancer Research UK.
This is a presentation on microbiota.

Presentation Structure

Introduction and Fundamentals of Microbiology
RNA vs DNA viruses
Adapt and Survive
Global impacts of microbes
Gut feeling
Sensing Danger
Antibiotic Resistance
Parasites and immune system
Vaccines
Outsmarting the bugs

Aims

Describe methods that revolutionized the microbiome field.
Describe how communities of microorganisms colonize the human body.
Describe the importance of microbial communities for health.
Explain how microbiota changes contribute to disease.

Microbiota

Tens of trillions of microbes (10¹⁴)
Primarily located in the colon.
Also found in the small intestine, lungs, skin, teeth, and other areas.
80% of microbes are non-culturable.

Methods Revolutionizing the Microbiome Field

16S sequencing
Whole Genome Sequencing + Metagenomics
Computation

Technology and Methodology

Many bacteria are not easily grown in labs, thus other methods are used to study them instead.
16S sequencing is used to evaluate microbes based on ribosomal RNA sequencing.
Whole Genome sequencing and metagenomics are used for examining genomes of microbes in samples and identify functions
Computation methods improve the study and analysis to identify microbes in the human body.

16S vs WGS

16S sequencing is a low-cost technique allowing inference of phylogeny (evolutionary relationships).
Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) is more costly but allows for an accurate identification of microbial functions.

Bacterial Communities

Microbes colonize body surfaces, particularly mucus.
Microbial communities vary in different body sites.
Bacteroides is the prevalent genus in the colon.
Communities are complex, stable, and interdependent
Communities are affected by factors like diet.

Microbiota Development

Microbiota develop throughout life stages from birth to adulthood.
Factors like delivery method (vaginal vs cesarean), feeding (breastfeeding vs formula), and environmental exposure influence development.

Co-evolution

Microbiota and host co-evolved.

Are You Really 90% Bacteria?

A 1972 estimate of 10¹⁴ bacteria in the digestive system was challenged by a 2016 recalculation.
Numbers of bacterial and human cells were re-assessed depending on volume of specific parts of the body.

Properties of Mucosal Tissues

Presents microbial profiles of diverse mucosal sites.

Phylogenetic Abundance

Bacteria are found in various abundances in different locations in the human body.
Charts and other images present the distribution of phyla and genera in different locations in the body.

Disease Associations

Microbiota has been linked to numerous diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, halitosis, acne, cardiovascular disease, obesity, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, alopecia, arthritis, type 2 diabetes, colorectal cancer, and periodontal disease.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are included.
The condition involves host genetic factors, immune responses, and the microbiome.
Microbial infiltration triggers inflammation.
Immune response to microbes causes damage to tissues.
The interplay between these factors may indicate cause or consequence of these diseases.

Clostridium Difficile Infection

Clostridium difficile infection is a healthcare associated illness.
It can spread via contaminated surfaces.
Antibiotic use may increase risk of this illness.

Fecal Transplants

Faecal microbiota transplant (FMT) can cure Clostridium difficile infection.
90% success and technique used in China for over a millennium.
FMT presents risks including exposure to unknown pathogens.

Curing The Microbiota

Faecal microbiota transplantation.
Full microbiome use.
Efficacy for Clostridium difficile infection.
Much less successful for other conditions.

Human Health

Microbiota helps with metabolizing carbohydrates to short-chain fatty acids.
Microbes synthesize important micronutrients, such as certain B vitamins, biotin, folate, and vitamin K.
Limits pathogen colonization.
Short-chain fatty acids fuel cells and are involved in reducing inflammation.

Short Chain Fatty Acids

Include butyrate, acetate, and propionate.
Generated by dietary fiber fermentation.
Provide an energy source for epithelial cells.
They have anti-inflammatory effects on the intestines.
Involved in T-reg cell differentiation.

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Description

This quiz examines the fascinating world of microbiomes and their significant impact on human health. Participants will explore topics such as microbial communities, antibiotic resistance, and the role of microbes in disease. Engage with concepts presented by Simon Milling, backed by Cancer Research UK.