The human intestine is a natural environment ecosystem of a complex of diversified and dynamic microorganisms, determined through a process of competition and natural selection during life. Those intestinal microorganisms called microbiota and are involved in a variety of mechanisms of the organism, they interact with the host and therefore are in contact with the organs of the various systems. However, they play a crucial role in maintaining host homeostasis, also influencing its behaviour. Thus, microorganisms perform a series of biological functions important for human well-being. The host provides the microorganisms with the environment and nutrients, simultaneously drawing many benefits such as their contribution to metabolic, trophic, immunological, and other functions. For these reasons it has been reported that its quantitative and qualitative composition can play a protective or harmful role on the host health. Therefore, a dysbiosis can lead to an association of unfavourable factors which lead to a dysregulation of the physiological processes of homeostasis. Thus, it has previously noted that the gut microbiota can participate in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, chronic intestinal inflammation, diabetes mellitus, obesity and atherosclerosis, psychic disorders (e.g., neurological diseases, autism, etc. ) colorectal cancer, and more.
Several studies have shown that the gut microbiota influences behavior and, in turn, changes in the immune system associated with symptoms of depression or anxiety disorder may be mirrored by corresponding changes in the gut microbiota. Although the composition/function of the intestinal microbiota appears to affect the central nervous system (CNS) activities through multiple mechanisms, accurate epidemiological evidence that clearly explains the connection between the CNS pathology and the intestinal dysbiosis is not yet available. The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a separate branch of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the largest part of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). It is composed of a vast and complex network of neurons which communicate via several neuromodulators and neurotransmitters, like those found in the CNS. Interestingly, despite its tight connections to both the PNS and ANS, the ENS is also capable of some independent activities. This concept, together with the suggested role played by intestinal microorganisms and the metabolome in the onset and progression of CNS neurological (neurodegenerative, autoimmune) and psychopathological (depression, anxiety disorders, autism) diseases, explains the large number of investigations exploring the functional role and the physiopathological implications of the gut microbiota/brain axis.
The use of innovative approaches to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms of autoimmune diseases, as well as to further study of the factors which can have either a positive or negative effect on the course of the disease, is essential. In this line, the development of new molecular techniques and the creation of the Human Genome Program have allowed access to many more solutions to the difficulties that exist in the identification and characterization of the microbiome, as well as changes due to various factors. Such innovative technologies can rekindle older hypotheses, such as molecular mimicry, allowing us to move from hypothesis to theory and from correlation to causality, particularly regarding autoimmune diseases and dysbiosis of the microbiota. For example, Prevotella copri appears to have a strong association with rheumatoid arthritis; it is expected that this will be confirmed by several scientists, which, in turn, will make it possible to identify other mechanisms that may contribute to the pathophysiology of the disease. This article seeks to identify new clues regarding similar correlations between autoimmune activity and the human microbiota, particularly in relation to qualitative and quantitative microbial variations therein.
This article is intended to deepen our knowledge to date regarding the functions of the resident microbiota/microbiome in the urinary system for human health and disease. First, we sought to report the general characteristics (composition and stability) of the normal urinary system microbiota in the different anatomical sites in relation to some factors such as the effect of age, gender and diet, analyzing in detail the functions and the composition of the microbiota in the light of current knowledge. Several pieces of evidence suggest the importance of preserving the micro-ecosystem of the urinary system, and in some cases their relationship with diseases is important for maintaining human health is well understood. The female and male reproductive microbiota have mainly been studied over the past decade. In the past, the arrest was thought to have taken place in a sterile environment. Microorganisms of the microbiota form biofilms, three-dimensional structures, that differ in the reproductive organs and interact with both gametes and the embryo as well as with maternal tissues. These biofilms from the reproductive system also interact with others, such as that of the gastrointestinal tract. Reduction in its diversity intestinal microbiota can disrupt estrogen metabolism and affect the reproductive microbiota. It is therefore understood that its quantitative and qualitative identification is important for microbiota, but also the study of the structures formed by the microorganisms. A dysbiosis with local or systemic causes can lead to serious diseases. The role of probiotics in maintaining microbial population harmony (eubiosis) and preventing certain pathologies of the urinary and reproductive system was also investigated. A negative variation in the qualitative and quantitative composition of certain strains of microorganisms (dysbiosis) due to local or systemic causes can even lead to serious diseases. The role of probiotics in maintaining the healthy balance of microorganism populations (eubiosis), and thus in the prevention of certain pathologies of the urinary and reproductive system, has also been studied.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 remains a significant issue for global health, the economy, and society. When SARS-CoV-2 began to spread, the most recent serious infectious disease of this century around the world, with its high morbidity and mortality rates, it is understandable why such infections have generally been spread in the past, mainly from international travel movements. This perspective review aimed to provide an update for clinicians on the recent developments related to the microbiological perspectives in pandemics, diagnostics, prevention (such as the spread of a virus), vaccination campaigns, treatment options, and health consequences for COVID-19 based on the current literature. In this way, the authors attempt to raise awareness on the transversal nature of these challenges by identifying the main risk/vulnerability factors that the scientific community must face including our current knowledge on the virus capacity of the mechanism of entry into the cells, the current classifications of viral variants, the knowledge of the mathematical model on the spread of viruses (the possible routes of transmission), and the effectiveness of vaccination campaigns in a global context of pandemic, particularly from COVID-19, with a look at new or future vaccines.
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