Date of Award

January 2024

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Department

School of Public Health

First Advisor

Caroline Johnson

Abstract

Bacteroidales are a vital group of gut bacteria that significantly contribute to human health by maintaining gut balance. However, their abundance is often altered in various diseases, indicating a strong association with disease progression and immune responses. This review categorizes Bacteroidales into clusters based on metabolic phenotypes, suggesting similarities in their metabolic pathways.

To explore the relationship between Bacteroidales species and human health, we conducted a comprehensive literature review. We compiled a list of 16 Bacteroidales species and performed targeted searches in PubMed using keywords related to inflammation and immunity. This process helped us identify relevant diseases, focusing on those with substantial research, specifically inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and obesity, each with over 100 relevant studies. We categorized the species into four clusters based on their metabolic pathways and systematically reviewed the literature to summarize the diseases involved, the properties of the bacteria, their mechanisms of action, and the direction of their effects (protective or harmful).

Despite identifying commonalities among these species, our analysis reveals a lack of consistent associations between their metabolic similarities and immune activities in the context of IBD and obesity. While some clusters, particularly cluster 1, show protective trends related to IBD, the findings are insufficient to draw definitive conclusions. This highlights the complexity of how individual bacterial species can exert multiple effects on health. Therefore, further high-quality research on each species respectively is essential to explore these intricate interactions and their implications for human health.

Comments

This is an Open Access Thesis.

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