Diversity of the human intestinal microbial flora.
The human endogenous intestinal microflora is an essential "organ" in providing nourishment, regulating epithelial development, and instructing innate immunity; yet, surprisingly, basic features remain poorly described. We examined 13,355 prokaryotic ribosomal RNA gene sequences from multiple colonic mucosal sites and feces of healthy subjects to improve our understanding of gut microbial diversity. A majority of the bacterial sequences corresponded to uncultivated species and novel microorganisms. We discovered significant intersubject variability and differences between stool and mucosa community composition. Characterization of this immensely diverse ecosystem is the first step in elucidating its role in health and disease.
Eckburg
Paul B
PB
Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Room S-169, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford CA 94305-5107, USA. eckburg1@stanford.edu
Bik
Elisabeth M
EM
Bernstein
Charles N
CN
Purdom
Elizabeth
E
Dethlefsen
Les
L
Sargent
Michael
M
Gill
Steven R
SR
Nelson
Karen E
KE
Relman
David A
DA
D000328:Adult; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D041963:Bacteroidetes / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D044822:Biodiversity; D003106:Colon / Q000382:microbiology*; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D017753:Ecosystem; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D019766:Genes, Archaeal; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D020459:Genes, rRNA; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology*; D041581:Methanobrevibacter / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics
D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S