Therapeutic Approach Targeting Gut Microbiome in Gastrointestinal Infectious Diseases

Abstract

While emerging evidence highlights the significance of gut microbiome in gastrointestinal infectious diseases, treatments like Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) and probiotics are gaining popularity, especially for diarrhea patients. However, the specific role of the gut microbiome in different gastrointestinal infectious diseases remains uncertain. There is no consensus on whether gut modulation therapy is universally effective for all such infections. In this comprehensive review, we examine recent developments of the gut microbiome’s involvement in several gastrointestinal infectious diseases, including infection of Helicobacter pylori, Clostridium difficile, Vibrio cholerae, enteric viruses, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and Giardia duodenalis. We have also incorporated information about fungi and engineered bacteria in gastrointestinal infectious diseases, aiming for a more comprehensive overview of the role of the gut microbiome. This review will provide insights into the pathogenic mechanisms of the gut microbiome while exploring the microbiome’s potential in the prevention, diagnosis, prediction, and treatment of gastrointestinal infections.

Gut Bacteria Provide Genetic and Molecular Reporter Systems to Identify Specific Diseases

“…More research is required to determine the effect of bacterial diversity on ARLD, and to what extent treatment with beneficial microorganisms could alleviate symptoms. Repair of the gut barrier is possible with microbial fecal transplants (MFTs), supplementation with SCFAs, and synthetic biology interventions [69]. Despite all the knowledge gathered on ARLD, we still lack a detailed understanding of which species are more prone to cause a leaky gut, the species or strains best suited to rectify damage to the gut wall, and the most harmful circulating PAMPs.…”

Acupuncture influences multiple diseases by regulating gut microbiota

“…This triggers mucosal inflammatory reactions, impairing the secretory function of secretory immunoglobulin A through the inherent layer of the mucosa, thereby compromising the intestinal immune barrier ( Zyrek et al., 2007 ; Jones and Versalovic, 2009 ). Studies have shown that when the intestinal environment is disrupted, various active substances released by pathogenic bacteria and their antigens can cause gastrointestinal diseases ( Han et al., 2023 ). Gut microbiota dysbiosis can affect the metabolism of substances, such as choline and bile acids, as well as energy absorption, thereby leading to metabolic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes ( Janssen and Kersten, 2015 ).…”