Application of Probiotics to Ameliorate Ill Conditions in, Preterm Infants, Oncology Patients, Surgery in Children, Type 2 Diabetes and the Elderly

The human gut microbiota consists of trillions of microorganisms including 150-200 prevalent and approximately 1,000 less common bacterial species, harbouring over 100- fold more genes than those present in the human genome [1]. Recent renewed interest in the structure and function of gastrointestinal tract (GIT), which is the most heavily colonized organ of human body, has illuminated its functions essential to health maintenance. Inadequate gut colonization and dysbiosis, especially in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants and oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy, children with under GIT operation and type 2 diabetes patients, may lead to an increased risk of mucosal damage and inflammation which are important mechanisms to develop bacterial translocation that can result in systemic infection including septicemia. Elderly people are especially prone to infection, as many physiological and immune responses as well as organ functions decline with age.

Probiotics are live microorganisms which, when administered in sufficient doses, confer a health benefit on the host. In this review, we discuss the role played by GIT microbiota and probiotics in human health and disease based on our study in conjunction with the current knowledge.