Eating more fiber supports the growth of good bacteria and protects against intestinal infections.

A group of bacteria called Enterobacteriaceae. Klebsiella pneumoniae, Rubiaceae, Escherichia coli etc. are present at low levels as part of the healthy human intestine. microbiome. But at high levels, it is caused by e.g. inflammation These bugs can cause illness and disease by entering the body or by eating contaminated food. In extreme cases, having too many enteric bacteria in your intestines can be life-threatening.

Researchers analyzed the composition of the gut microbiome from stool samples from more than 12,000 people in 45 countries using a computational approach that included AI. They found that the “signatures” of a person's microbiome can predict whether a person's gut is likely to be colonized by Enterobacteriaceae. The results are consistent across different health conditions and geographic locations.

Researchers identified 135 gut microbial species that are commonly found even in the absence of Enterobacteriaceae and are likely to protect against infection.

Notable among the species that protect the gut is a group of bacteria called Faecalibacterium, which produce beneficial compounds called short-chain fatty acids by breaking down fiber in the foods we eat. This appears to protect against infection by various disease-causing Enterobacteriaceae bugs.

Researchers suggest that consuming more fiber in your diet can support the growth of good bacteria and eliminate bad bacteria, significantly reducing your risk of disease.

In contrast, probiotic intake, which does not directly alter the intestinal environment, is less likely to affect the likelihood of Enterobacteriaceae infections.

The results will be published in today's magazine natural microbiology.

Our results suggest that what we eat is potentially very important in controlling the likelihood of infection by a variety of bacteria, including: Escherichia coli and Klebsiella This is because this changes our intestinal environment, making it more hostile to invaders. ”

Dr. Alexandre Almeida, Research Fellow, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Lead Author of the Paper

She added: “Eating fiber from foods such as vegetables, beans, and whole grains can provide the raw materials for your gut bacteria to produce short-chain fatty acids. It is a compound that can protect us from these pathogenic insects.”

Klebsiella pneumonia It can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and other infections. Alarming global increase antibiotic resistance Research into this bacterial pathogen has led scientists to seek new ways to bring this and other similar infectious bacteria under control.

“As antibiotic resistance rates increase, there are fewer treatment options available to us. The best approach at this time is to prevent infections from occurring in the first place, which is the key to addressing the causes of these diseases. This can be achieved by reducing the opportunity for bacteria to grow in the intestine,'' Almeida said.

New understanding of gut microbial interactions

Previous studies to understand the interactions between different bacteria in our gut have used mouse models. However, some of these new results contradict previous findings.

A new study reveals that 172 species of gut microbes can coexist with disease-causing bugs in the Enterobacteriaceae family. Many of these species are functionally similar to insects and require the same nutrients to survive. It was previously thought that competition for resources prevented disease-causing bacteria from colonizing the gut.

This has important implications for treatment. Trying to starve the bad bacteria by taking probiotics, which compete for the same nutrients as the bad bacteria, won't work. Researchers say that changing the gut environment through diet and other means may be more beneficial in reducing the risk of infections caused by Enterobacteriaceae.

“This study highlights the importance of studying pathogens in the context of their surrounding gut microbiota, rather than as isolated entities,” said the report's lead author, a visiting researcher at the University of Cambridge's School of Veterinary Medicine. One Dr. Chi Ying said.