Human microbiota by body site

Definition and examples of human microbiota

Human microbiota are microorganisms—including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and archaea—that live in specific environments of the human body. They occur in many body sites such as the stomach, intestines, skin, genitals, and other regions, and different body parts host different microbial communities. Some microbes are restricted to particular locations, while others are found across multiple microbiomes. The article notes that a typical 70 kg human body contains an estimated ~39 trillion bacteria, spanning roughly 10,000 microbial species (with many more taxa possible). Microbes can be grouped by morphology, such as cocci (ball-shaped, non-motile), bacilli (rod-shaped), and spirochetes (spiral-shaped). Examples of human-associated microbes include Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Escherichia coli, Treponema pallidum, and Leptospira borgpetersenii. Examples by body site include the oral microbiota (mouth), which includes organisms such as Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Staphylococcus; the vaginal microbiota, where Lactobacillus species help protect against harmful pathogens by producing lactic acid; and reproductive tract microbiota, including uterine, ovarian follicle, and male reproductive tract (seminal fluid) communities. The composition of these microbiota can change with factors like puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, and disruptions (dysbiosis) are linked to conditions such as bacterial vaginosis and other infections.

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Body-site differences in microbial communities

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