Research has shown that the microbiome can impact a wide range of health conditions, from autoimmune diseases to metabolic disorders. It's becoming clear that the microbiome is intimately linked to the immune system and inflammatory responses.
Research has also shown that the microbiome can affect how humans or animals respond to different treatments, including immunotherapies and medications.
Certain microbial markers can function as indicators of disease or health status. By analyzing a patient's microbiome, we can potentially identify disease risks and develop precision-tailored treatment strategies using microbiome modulation to improve immune responses.
In fact, linking microbiome associations with disease is a significant challenge and requires rigorous sampling and advanced bioinformatic approaches. However, once these connections are unveiled, they hold the potential to revolutionize diagnostics and therapeutics.
About the author
Dr. Aline Santana is a Brazilian veterinarian with over 12 years of experience in both research and private dermatology practice. In 2021, she completed her PhD in veterinary dermatology at the University of São Paulo (Brazil), with a sandwich period at the University of Minnesota, where she conducted research on the skin microbiome of cats. Since 2012, she has been an active member of the Brazilian Society of Veterinary Dermatology (SBDV). From 2015 to 2021, Dr. Santana served as the director of social media marketing, contributing to the organization's outreach and communication efforts.
