Description
Homeostatic interactions between the host and its resident microbiota is important for normal physiological functions and if altered, it could lead to dysbiosis, a change in the structure and function of the microbiota, and as a result to various pathophysiologies. Altered structure in bacterial community is associated with various pathophysiologies, but we are just beginning to understand how these structural changes translate into functional changes. Environmental factors including pathogenic infections can lead to altered interactions between the host and its resident microbiota.