title: Role of the host defense system and intestinal microbial flora in the pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating disease that affects primarily the intestine of premature infants. Despite recent advances in neonatology, NEC remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates. Neonatal mucosal defenses and adherence of bacterial pathogens may play an important role in the pathogenesis of NEC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review and synthesis of pertinent literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Putative factors that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of NEC include abnormal patterns of gut colonization by bacteria, immaturity of the host immune system and mucosal defense mechanisms, intestinal ischemia, formula feeding, and loss of intestinal epithelial barrier integrity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Host defenses and intestinal microbial ecology are believed to play important roles in the pathogenesis of NEC. Commensal bacteria and probiotic therapy may be of therapeutic utility in the maintenance of the gut epithelial barrier.
authors: Department of Surgery, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90027, USA.
authors: Claudia N
authors: CN
authors: Emami
authors: Mikael
authors: M
authors: Petrosyan
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Giuliani
authors: Monica
authors: M
authors: Williams
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Hunter
authors: Nemani V
authors: NV
authors: Prasadarao
authors: Henri R
authors: HR
authors: Ford
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology*