Therapeutic Potential of the Microbiome—2nd Edition

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the gut microbiota has been extensively studied and has emerged as a promising therapy of gastrointestinal and extra-gastrointestinal diseases.

The human gut microbiota constitutes a very complex ecosystem containing approximately 10¹⁴ microorganisms belonging to more than 1000 species. It consists mostly of bacteria, but fungi, viruses, and protozoa can also frequently be detected in the gut. The gut microbiota has important functions for human health. The pathologic alteration of its composition, termed dysbiosis, has been linked to multiple gastrointestinal (Clostridium difficile colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, etc.) and non-gastrointestinal diseases (obesity, metabolic syndrome, neuropsychiatric diseases, etc.).

Modulation of the gut microbiota with fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is highly effective for treating Clostridium difficile infection (FDI). Recent studies also suggest that the intestinal microbiome is involved in the pathogenesis of several chronic diseases, such as obesity; type 2 diabetes; cardiovascular, cancer or inflammatory bowel disease; and irritable bowel syndrome. In fact, the manipulation of fecal microbiota to treat inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome is being studied. There is also evidence that targeting gut microbiota through dietary interventions could be a potential therapeutic approach.

On these grounds, in this Special Issue of Medical Sciences we welcome research articles, reviews, and communications to present the most recent advances in the study of the therapeutic potential of the microbiome.

Prof. Dr. Peter C. Konturek
Guest Editor

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