It is already known that a reduction in gut microbial richness is the hallmark change of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, but how this dysbiosis is established in the HIV-exposed uninfected infant is poorly understood. A recent cross-sectional study, led by Dr. Grace M. Aldrovandi from the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in Los Angeles (USA), suggests that perturbations in the infant gut microbiome may explain the greater risk of morbidity and mortality in uninfected babies born to HIV-positive mothers.

A recent review, published by Dr. Thierry Hennet and Dr. Lubor Borsig from the Department of Physiology and Centre for Integrative Human Physiology at University of Zürich (Switzerland), describes the up-to-date data regarding the unique biology of human breast milk as a multifunctional fluid.

Childhood undernutrition affects millions of children worldwide and has long-term severe effects, which include stunted growth and impaired cognitive development, among others. A recent study, led by Dr. Jeffrey Gordon from the Centre for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis (USA), found that gut bacteria could be considered a useful tool for ameliorating the harmful side effects of malnutrition in mice.

Researchers know the fecal microbiota of infants is a treasure trove of information -- it can reveal details about delivery mode and diet -- but microbiota-based predictions about future health are only beginning to emerge. A team of researchers led

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