Differential effects of antibiotic therapy on the structure and function of human gut microbiota.

ABSTRACT: The human intestinal microbiota performs many essential functions for the host. Antimicrobial agents, such as antibiotics (AB), are also known to disturb microbial community equilibrium, thereby having an impact on human physiology. While an increasing number of studies investigate the effects of AB usage on changes in human gut microbiota biodiversity, its functional effects are still poorly understood. We performed a follow-up study to explore the effect of ABs with different modes of action on human gut microbiota composition and function. Four individuals were treated with different antibiotics and samples were taken before, during and after the AB course for all of them. Changes in the total and in the active (growing) microbiota as well as the functional changes were addressed by 16S

SUBMITTER: Perez-Cobas AE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3839934 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature