The small bowel microbiota

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Although many studies of the microbiota have been specific to the colonic or faecal microbiota, several studies are relevant to or directly address the small bowel microbiota in health and disease. A selection of recent landmark findings is addressed here. RECENT FINDINGS: The complexity of host-microbe interactions is confirmed by unfolding evidence for signalling networks including microbe-macrophage-neuronal communication and several examples of diet-microbe-host metabolic exchanges. The contribution of the microbiota to several disorders, including celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease, is increasingly evident and the importance of drug-bug interactions has been clarified. SUMMARY: Despite difficulty accessing the small bowel microbiota, there is growing evidence for its role in development, homeostasis and a diversity of diseases.