The Gut Microbiome: Human Health and Inflammatory Skin Diseases

ABSTRACT

The human microbiome is a rich environment consisting ofbacteria, fungi and other commensal microorganisms of thegut, mucosa and skin. The functional role of the gut microbiomeincludes facilitation in metabolism of macronutrients,maturation of the immune system, and production of pro- oranti-inflammatory signaling molecules and peptides. Theidentification of these resident organisms has brought abouta new understanding of disease processes. Nevertheless,more questions remain regarding the interactions within themicrobiome, its interactions with the host, and its contributionsto the pathophysiology of disease. The purpose of thisreview is to examine the existing medical literature to highlightthe role of the gut microbiome in human health, alsopaying attention to its role in several inflammatory skin diseases,namely atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and rosacea.