Firmicutes/Bacterioidetes Ratio as an Indicator of Intestinal Microflora

Today, advances in fundamental and clinical microbiology show that the correct formation of intestinal microflora from the earliest days of human development serves as the basis for subsequent stages of development. This article presents information about representatives of two main groups of intestinal microflora, their relationship, factors influencing them, as well as changes in the biological characteristics of representatives of this group in various pathological conditions of the body. A prospective target for the treatment or avoidance of inflammatory and metabolic diseases in humans is the gut flora. The identification of particular microbial signatures, particularly those linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular illnesses, is the focus of a large portion of current research efforts. According to certain research, the gut microbiota of obese humans and animals has a greater Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio than that of people of normal weight, suggesting that this ratio may one day be used as a biomarker. As a result, a common indicator of obesity in the scientific literature is the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Given the large number of conflicting findings documented in the literature, the purpose of this review was to examine the validity of this putative marker. These disparities could be explained by the presence of interpretative bias brought about by methodological variations in DNA sequence analysis and sample processing, or by the generally subpar characterization of the subjects recruited and, more specifically, the failure to take lifestyle-related factors that are known to influence microbiota diversity and/or composition into account. Because of these factors, it is currently challenging to regard the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio as a sign of obesity and to link it to a specific health condition.