Potential Role of Microbiota in the Prevention and Therapeutic Management of Infectious Diseases

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A huge diversity of microbial species continues to live with the human beings that are collectively known as microbiota. Several environmental factors can impact the microbial imbalance in the intestine which can play a starring role in health and disease conditions in humans. In this review, we have described the role of human microbiota in the individual’s susceptibility to infectious diseases such as gastrointestinal, respiratory, and female reproductive tract infections. Here, we have discussed how the indigenous microbiota interacts with the host and the invader microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and can modify the outcome of infections. The complex mechanisms of colonization resistance mediated by the microbiota as a direct and indirect way to fight against the infectious agents have been highlighted. Moreover, the approaches for the modulation of human microbiota for the prevention or therapeutic management of infectious diseases have been discussed especially the potential therapies directly targeting the microbiota such as probiotics, prebiotics, as well as fecal microbiota transplantation. Further studies need to focus on the complex interactions between the host and microbial species which could be helpful for a better understanding of the hidden potential of gut microbiota in the physiology of the host and could provide novel therapeutic targets and approaches.