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Microbiota in Human Disease
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Microbiota in Human Disease

A special issue of Diseases (ISSN 2079-9721).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 8189

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Rossella Cianci

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Guest Editor
Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
Interests: clinical and cellular immunology; microbiota and the immune system: crosstalk in health and diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Pierluigi Rio

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Guest Editor
Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
Interests: internal medicine; microbiota and the immune system

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the research on the interplay between microbiota and hosts in the onset of several diseases. Some diseases have been associated with the disruption of the equilibrium in the gut microbiota, such as cancer and inflammatory diseases, but others could be related to gut microbial dysbiosis in their onset and progression. The aim of this Special Issue is to comprehensive report the state of the art of the link between microbiota and several infectious as well as communicable diseases. We accept reviews, original articles, and meta-analyses that describe the complex crosstalk between microbiota and hosts in the development and progression of diseases, including the role of nutrition, physical exercise, immune disorders, and pollutants.

Dr. Rossella Cianci
Dr. Pierluigi Rio
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diseases is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • microbiota
  • immune system
  • adaptive and innate immunity
  • infectious diseases
  • non-communicable diseases

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review

20 pages, 3056 KiB  
Review
Artificial Sweeteners: A Double-Edged Sword for Gut Microbiome
by Helal F. Hetta, Nizar Sirag, Hassabelrasoul Elfadil, Ayman Salama, Sara F. Aljadrawi, Amani J. Alfaifi, Asma N. Alwabisi, Bothinah M. AbuAlhasan, Layan S. Alanazi, Yara A. Aljohani, Yasmin N. Ramadan, Noura H. Abd Ellah and Abdelazeem M. Algammal
Diseases 2025, 13(4), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases13040115 - 15 Apr 2025
Viewed by 3890
Abstract
Background and Aim: The human gut microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining health. Artificial sweeteners, also known as non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS), have garnered attention for their potential to disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome. This review explores the complex relationship [...] Read more.
Background and Aim: The human gut microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining health. Artificial sweeteners, also known as non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS), have garnered attention for their potential to disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome. This review explores the complex relationship between NNS and the gut microbiome, highlighting their potential benefits and risks. By synthesizing current evidence, we aim to provide a balanced perspective on the role of AS in dietary practices and health outcomes, emphasizing the need for targeted research to guide their safe and effective use. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted through searches in PubMed and Google Scholar, focusing on the effects of artificial sweeteners on gut microbiota. The search utilized key terms including “Gut Microbiome”, “gut microbiota”, “Eubiosis”, “Dysbiosis”, “Artificial Sweeteners”, and “Nonnutritive Sweeteners”. Results: NNS may alter the gut microbiome, but findings remain inconsistent. Animal studies often report a decrease in beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, and an increase in harmful strains such as Clostridium difficile and E. coli, potentially leading to inflammation and gut imbalance. Disruptions in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production and gut hormone signaling have also been observed. However, human studies generally show milder or no significant changes, highlighting the limitations in translating animal model findings directly to humans. Differences in study design, dosage, exposure time, and sweetener type likely contribute to these varied outcomes. Conclusions: While NNS offer certain benefits, including reduced caloric intake and improved blood sugar regulation, their impact on gut microbiome health raises important concerns. The observed reduction in beneficial bacteria and the rise in pathogenic strains underscore the need for caution in NNS consumption. Furthermore, the disruption of SCFA production and metabolic pathways illustrates the intricate relationship between diet and gut health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbiota in Human Disease)
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23 pages, 1106 KiB  
Review
Exploring the Exposome Spectrum: Unveiling Endogenous and Exogenous Factors in Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases
by Laura Di Renzo, Paola Gualtieri, Giulia Frank, Rossella Cianci, Mario Caldarelli, Giulia Leggeri, Glauco Raffaelli, Erica Pizzocaro, Michela Cirillo and Antonino De Lorenzo
Diseases 2024, 12(8), 176; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases12080176 - 2 Aug 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3664
Abstract
The exposome encompasses all endogenous and exogenous exposure individuals encounter throughout their lives, including biological, chemical, physical, psychological, relational, and socioeconomic factors. It examines the duration and intensity of these types of exposure and their complex interactions over time. This interdisciplinary approach involves [...] Read more.
The exposome encompasses all endogenous and exogenous exposure individuals encounter throughout their lives, including biological, chemical, physical, psychological, relational, and socioeconomic factors. It examines the duration and intensity of these types of exposure and their complex interactions over time. This interdisciplinary approach involves various scientific disciplines, particularly toxicology, to understand the long-term effects of toxic exposure on health. Factors like air pollution, racial background, and socioeconomic status significantly contribute to diseases such as metabolic, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative diseases, infertility, and cancer. Advanced analytical methods measure contaminants in biofluids, food, air, water, and soil, but often overlook the cumulative risk of multiple chemicals. An exposome analysis necessitates sophisticated tools and methodologies to understand health interactions and integrate findings into precision medicine for better disease diagnosis and treatment. Chronic exposure to environmental and biological stimuli can lead to persistent low-grade inflammation, which is a key factor in chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as obesity, cardiometabolic disorders, cancer, respiratory diseases, autoimmune conditions, and depression. These NCDs are influenced by smoking, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and alcohol abuse, all shaped by genetic, environmental, and social factors. Dietary patterns, especially ultra-processed foods, can exacerbate inflammation and alter gut microbiota. This study investigates the exposome’s role in the prevention, development, and progression of NCDs, focusing on endogenous and exogenous factors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbiota in Human Disease)
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