title: Replenishing our defensive microbes.
abstract: Large-scale characterization of the human microbiota has largely focused on Western adults, yet these populations may be uncharacteristic because of their diets and lifestyles. In particular, the rise of "Western diseases" may in part stem from reduced exposure to, or even loss of, microbes with which humans have coevolved. Here, we review beneficial microbes associated with pathogen resistance, highlighting the emerging role of complex microbial communities in protecting against disease. We discuss ways in which modern lifestyles and practices may deplete physiologically important microbiota, and explore prospects for reintroducing or encouraging the growth of beneficial microbes to promote the restoration of healthy microbial ecosystems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Luke K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Ursell
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Van Treuren
authors.forename: Jessica L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Metcalf
authors.forename: Meg
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pirrung
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gewirtz
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Knight
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004194:Disease; D017753:Ecosystem; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D054892:Metagenome; D064307:Microbiota; D019936:Probiotics / Q000378:metabolism
keywords: antibiotics; ecology; gut microbiota; human microbiome; hygiene hypothesis; pathogens