De microbiota van het menselijk lichaam

- Our bodies are home to complex microbial communities.

- In most samples, a greater microbial diversity is revealed by using culture-independent, molecular techniques than by conventional methods.

- The composition of the human-associated microbiota differs in each individual, and at each anatomical site within an individual.

- The intestinal colonization of newborn infants seems to be driven by environmental factors and random processes, rather than by the composition of the parent’s microbial communities.

- A set of fraternal twins showed almost identical microbial communities.

- Investigating the composition of the human-associated microbiota will enable us to better understand the role of commensals in health and disease.

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2008;152:668-73