The State of Microbiome Science at the Intersection of Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobial Resistance

Along with the rise in modern chronic diseases, ranging from diabetes to asthma, there are challenges posed by increasing antibiotic resistance, which results in difficult-to-treat infections, as well as sepsis. An emerging and unifying theme in the pathogenesis of these diverse public health threats is changes in the microbial communities that inhabit multiple body sites. Although there is great promise in exploring the role of these microbial communities in chronic disease pathogenesis, the shorter timeframe of most infectious disease pathogenesis may allow early translation of our basic scientific understanding of microbial ecology and host-microbiota-pathogen interactions. Likely translation avenues include development of preventive strategies, diagnostics, and therapeutics. For example, as basic research related to microbial pathogenesis continues to progress, Clostridioides dtfficile infection is already being addressed clinically through at least 2 of these 3 avenues: targeted antibiotic stewardship and treatment of recurrent disease through fecal microbiota transplantation.

Automated summary

With the rise of modern chronic diseases and challenges posed by antibiotic resistance, microbial communities play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases and infections. Basic scientific understanding of microbial pathogenesis can lead to the development of preventive strategies, diagnostics, and therapeutics, such as fecal microbiota transplantation for treatment.