Gastrointestinal Microbiology, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1997 Gastrointestinal Microbes and Host Interactions Chapman & Hall Microbiology Series

The gastrointestinal tract is a complex anaerobic microbial ecosystem containing a vast assemblage of resident microorganisms performing a multitude of metabolic activities that play a key role in health and disease of humans and animals. Furthermore, the gastrointestinal microbes have a dominant impact on the growth and productivity of both ruminant and non-ruminant animals. This two-volume series on Gastrointestinal Microbiology reviews the literature and provides a comprehensive account of the biological significance of the microbiota present in the alimentary tract of a wide range of animals, in terms of their nutritional ecology, biochemical activities, development and composition, interactions and role in host health and disease. Recent developments in the areas of molecular ecology, bacterial genetics, immunological aspects of host microbe interactions at the level of the intestinal mucosa, bacterial translocation and intestinal disease are included. Although emphasis is placed on domestic ruminants and man, systems which have been extensively researched, this series also provides a full and integrated account of the nutritional ecology and microbial ecology in the gut of many diverse mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles and insects. This broad perspective allows more realistic interpretation, and better evaluation of, as well as greater insight into, the evolution, ecology, and function of the gastrointestinal ecosystem. These volumes contain contributions from a multidisciplinary group of internationally recognized authors, all active researchers in their particular fields.

I: Microbiota: Development, Characterization and Ecology.- 1 Development of Intestinal Microbiota.- 2 Biota of the Human Gastrointestinal Tract.- 3 Bacteria, Fungi, and Protozoa of the Rumen.- 4 Microorganisms in Hindgut Fermentors.- 5 Normal Microbiota of the Gastrointestinal Tract of Rodents.- 6 Bacteria in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Birds.- II: Molecular Ecology and Genetics.- 7 Molecular Ecology of Gastrointestinal Ecosystems.- 8 Genetics of Human Colonic Bacteroides.- 9 Genetics of Ruminai Anaerobic Bacteria.- III: Microbial Interactions.- 10 Microbe-Microbe Interactions.- 11 Modification of the Normal Microbiota by Diet, Stress, Antimicrobial Agents, and Probiotics.- 12 Influences of the Normal Microbiota on the Animal Host.- IV: Interactions Between Gut Microbes and Host.- 13 Colonization Resistance.- 14 Immunological Aspects of Host/Microbiota Interactions at the Intestinal Epithelium.- 15 Bacterial Pathogen Translocation Across the Gastrointestinal Barrier.- 16. Enteric Pathogens: Population Genetics and Pathogenesis of Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae Infections.

Extremely diverse and complicated bacterial and protozoan populations inhabit the rumen and intestinal tract of animals, and there is a delicate balance among the individual populations within this complex microbial community. Volume two explores recent developments in the areas of molecular ecology, bacterial genetics, microbial interactions, immunological aspects of host microbes at the level of the intestinal mucosa, and bacterial translocation.