Antifungal
Substance that destroys the fungi and yeasts responsible for mycosis.
Biodiversity
Diversity of living species (micro-organisms, plants, animals) present in an environment.
Biomarker
A characteristic that is objectively measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal biological processes, pathogenic processes or pharmacological responses to a therapeutic intervention.
Commensales
Refers to microorganisms that colonize the organism (usually the skin or mucous membranes) without causing disease. Commensal bacteria can become pathogenic to the immunocompromised individual.
Digestive tract
Ensures the assimilation and processing of food. It comprises a series of organs that make up the digestive tract and associated organs such as the liver, gallbladder and pancreas.
Dysbiosis
Imbalance of the microbiota. It results from changes in the composition of the bacterial flora, and may be associated with a number of diseases.
Ecosystem
Basic ecological unit formed by an environment (biotope) and by all the species (biocenosis) that live, feed and reproduce there.
Enterotype
Intestinal bacterial signature. This is a specific group of intestinal bacterial composition in humans.
Eubiosis
State of a microbiota considered at equilibrium. It is an ecological situation where a favourable microbiota and a healthy host coexist.
FODMAP
Acronym for Fermentable Oligosaccharides Disaccharides Monosaccharides And Polyols. FODMAP refers to a group of short-chain carbohydrates found in certain foods and fed by bacteria in the colon.
The purpose of the FODMAP diet is to :
- Limit foods that are sources of FODMAP.
- Favour foods low in fermentable carbohydrates.
Healthy carrier
A clinically healthy subject who carries pathogenic germs.
Immune function
Defense of the body by a set of cells against infections. When it is invaded by a foreign organism (virus, bacteria) or foreign molecules (e.g. pollen), the immune system reacts quickly to get rid of it.
Immunosuppressed
A subject whose immune system is weakened.
Shannon’s Index
An index to measure biodiversity.
IBD
Acronym for “Inflammatory Bowel Diseases”, which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. They are characterised by inflammation of the wall of part of the digestive tract, linked to hyperactivity of the digestive immune system.
Inflammation
Set of phenomena that defend the body against aggression (allergy, infection, injury …) that can manifest themselves in various signs such as heat, pain, redness …
Inflammatory
Which is characterized or caused by inflammation.
LPS
Acronym for lipopolysaccharide, a molecule consisting of a lipid and a polysaccharide. It is an essential component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria.
Metagenomic analysis
Study of the microbiota via the study of the genomes of different populations of microorganisms living in a given environment.
Metabolic functions
A set of chemical reactions that take place in the cells of an organism, based on chemical constituents supplied to the organism by food and under the action of specific catalysts.
Metabolites
Organic waste from living matter. A metabolite is a chemical compound synthesized during a phase of metabolism.
Microorganism
Microscopic living organism (invisible to the naked eye), such as bacteria, viruses or unicellular fungi (yeast) that plays an essential role in the balance of ecosystems.
Nosocomiale
An infection is said to be nosocomial if it is contracted in hospital and is not directly related to the condition for which the patient is hospitalized.
Opportunist
A bacterium normally present in the body without affecting it, but which can cause disease as a result of a decrease in the body’s defences.
Pathogen
Which can cause illness.
Phylum
Branch which is the first level of classification in each kingdom.
Polysaccharides
Complex natural carbohydrate formed by the condensation of several molecules of simple sugars.
Postbiotic
Metabolite (organic acids, enzymes, carbon substrates) produced by a living bacterium, which could help rebalance the composition of the microbiota.
Prebiotic
A non-digestible substance that serves as a substrate for good bacteria in the colon and has a beneficial effect on health.
Probiotic
Live microorganisms (bacteria or yeast) which, when ingested in sufficient quantities, can have a beneficial effect on health by improving the intestinal flora.
Shannon’s Index
An index to measure biodiversity.
SIBO
Acronym for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. SIBO is defined as excessive growth of bacteria in the small intestine. Normally, the majority of bacteria are found in the colon.
Taxonomy
Science of classification of living things.
Tract
An anatomical term defining a set of organs that constitute an apparatus. Examples include the digestive or gastrointestinal tract, genital tract, optic tract.
Urinary tract
Part of the anatomy that allows the body to get rid of impurities. The urinary tract includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters and urethra.