Diversity of the Human Intestinal Microbial Flora

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 308; no. 5728; pp. 1635 - 1638
• Main Authors: Eckburg, Paul B, Bik, Elisabeth M, Bernstein, Charles N, Purdom, Elizabeth, Dethlefsen, Les, Sargent, Michael, Gill, Steven R, Nelson, Karen E, Relman, David A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Association for the Advancement of Science 10.06.2005; The American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Subjects: Adult; Anatomy; Bacteria; Bacteria - classification; Bacteria - genetics; Bacteria - isolation & purification; Bacteroidetes - classification; Bacteroidetes - genetics; Bacteroidetes - isolation & purification; Biodiversity; Biological and medical sciences; Biological taxonomies; Colon - microbiology; Community composition; Community Relations; community structure; Comparative Analysis; Digestive system; DNA, Ribosomal - genetics; Ecosystem; Ecosystems; feces; Feces - microbiology; Flora; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gastrointestinal system; Genes, Archaeal; Genes, Bacterial; Genes, rRNA; Genetic diversity; Genetic Variation; Genetics; Humans; innate immunity; Intestinal microbiology; intestinal microorganisms; Intestinal Mucosa - microbiology; Intestine. Mesentery; Intestines; Libraries; Methanobrevibacter - classification; Methanobrevibacter - genetics; Methanobrevibacter - isolation & purification; Microbiology; Microbiota; Microorganisms; Middle Aged; Molecular Sequence Data; mucosa; nucleotide sequences; Phylogenetics; Phylogeny; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Ribonucleic acid; Ribosomal DNA; ribosomal RNA; RNA; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S - genetics; Vertebrates: digestive system; Human; Healthy subject; Nucleotide sequence; Health; Mucosa; Variability; Gut; Microflora; Immunity; Infection; Characterization; Microbiological investigation; Ribosomal RNA; Ecosystem; Bacteriosis; Colon; Feces; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.1110591

The human endogenous intestinal microflora is an essential "organ" in providing nourishment, regulating epithelial development, and instructing innate immunity; yet, surprisingly, basic features remain poorly described. We examined 13,355 prokaryotic ribosomal RNA gene sequences from multiple colonic mucosal sites and feces of healthy subjects to improve our understanding of gut microbial diversity. A majority of the bacterial sequences corresponded to uncultivated species and novel microorganisms. We discovered significant intersubject variability and differences between stool and mucosa community composition. Characterization of this immensely diverse ecosystem is the first step in elucidating its role in health and disease.