L4: Human Microbiome II Flashcards
factors influencing the gut microbiome - in utero
- antibiotic use by the mother
- mother’s diet
factors influencing the gut microbiome - parturition
- hospital setting
- length of gestation
- mode of delivery (c-section vs vaginal)
factors influencing the gut microbiome - infancy
- environment
- prebiotics/probiotics
- formula feeding vs breastmilk
- introduction of solid food
explain the evolving microbiome from pregnancy to early infancy - childhood
- diverse
- no dominant species
explain the evolving microbiome from pregnancy to early infancy - reproductive age
- microbiome composition changes
- Lactobacillus is selected for
explain the evolving microbiome from pregnancy to early infancy - menopause
- diversity goes down
- Ureaplasma is selected for
how does the vaginal microbiome change?
- it changes with the menstrual cycle
- bacterial abundance peaks during ovulation bc of estrogen levels rising
- which microbe increases is different for each individual
what species dominates the vaginal microbiome in women of reproductive age?
Lactobacillus because it keeps pH low
vaginal microbiome in women of reproductive age - what about women who do not have a domination of Lactobacillus spp.
- they instead have a much more diverse microbiome
- they instead have more anaerobic bacteria
- a case for many women of color
vaginal microbiome in women of reproductive age: more anaerobic bacteria - how is the pH kept low
the anaerobic bacteria can produce lactic acid that will keep the pH low
what is a nugent score
a way of evaluating vaginal microbiota for bacterial vaginosis
what is bacterial vaginosis (BV)
- characterized by a shift in the composition of the normal vaginal microbiome
- microbiome changes from Lactobacillus species to a mixture of anaerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria
- known as the microbiome of disease
why is BV dangerous
- it is not effective at keeping pH low
- causes a high risk of pre-term birth
BV vs normal microbiome - what does a Lactobacillus-dominated microbiome produce
- lactic acid
- bacteriocins
- hydrogen peroxide
- all keep the pH low
BV vs normal microbiome - what does a BV microbiome produce
- SCFAs and pH will be increased
- pro-inflammation
BV vs normal microbiome - is BV truly a microbiome of disease
- no
- some people naturally have more anaerobic bacteria and they may not show symptoms of BV
- they are just more likely to have colonialism of opportunistic bacteria
how is the human vaginal microbiome unique
humans have 70% Lactobacillus spp. while other mammals only have 1%
how is the human vaginal microbiome unique - what is the proposed reason for this
vaginal pH of humans evolved to be low to make associations with Lactobacillus spp. since they resided in the gut
the microbiome in early life - birth
- vaginal delivery: Lactobacillus was received from the mom
- c-section: Staphylococcus, Propionibacterium. Not from mom but from the environment
the microbiome in early life - infant
- milk consumption: Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus
- solid food introduction: Bacteroides, Clostridiales
the microbiome in early life - toddler
- full adult diet
- can still find early microbiome association prevalent
what is the impact of delivery mode on the infant
c-section babies are more prone to develop allergies, chronic inflammatory diseases, and metabolic disease
impact of delivery mode on the infant microbiome - c-section
- horizontal gene transfer
- specifically Staphylococcus and Propionibacterium
what is the impact of delivery mode on the infant - vaginal
- vertical transmission
- Lactobacillus
how may RSV be prevented in infants
- breastfeeding
- human milk oligosaccharides (hMOSs) reduces the viral load and inflammatory signaling
- it travels to the blood and lungs
what is respiratory synoptical virus (RSV)
leading cause of lower respiratory infections which is a major source of infant mortality
factors influencing microbiome composition - baby
- formula-fed: Firmicutes is dominant
- breastfed: Actinobacteria is dominant
- solid-food: Bacteroidetes
factors influencing microbiome composition - toddler
- healthy: Bacteroidetes
- antibiotic treatment: too much Bacteroidetes and too little Firmicutes
- malnutrition: Proteobacteria