Enterotypes have relevance to immune health

I came across this note in an article on blood types. Somebody may want to explore this topic and report back to the forum. It sounds like a fascinating topic with possibly incredible ramifications. Are there applications that may apply to those who are sick with lyme?

Here is a short and general Wikipedia introduction to enterotypes:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enterotype

NEWS: A research team led by Peer Bork of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidleberg, Germany discovered that people can be classified into one of 3 distinct types based on the kinds of bacteria in their guts. They refer to them as enterotypes. This type system is independent of blood types and may have equally important implications for peoples' health. How enterotypes are established is not known, but the authors suggest that babies may be randomly colonized by different species of bacteria and that they alter the gut so that only certain species of bacteria can live there. ("Enterotypes of the Human Gut Microbiome", published online in Nature, April 20, 2011.)

Here is the original article: http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110420/full/news.2011.249.html


Reading these articles raises some questions in my mind. What is the enterotype of any specific individual? What is the range of bacterial strains that can exist within that enterotype? What are the bacterial strain vulnerabilities within that enterotype? What bacterial strains may best be harnessed to create a healthy environment within that persons enterotype? What are all of the factors that may exert a long term influence on an individual's enterotype (whether for better or worse)? Since the gut contains about 70% of our immune capabilities, then, investigation in this area may possibly yield profound resources to help in becoming well again. I don't look at this issue as a "silver bullet," but it may be the missing link to becoming well for many people.

Don