fig1

Figure 1. Schematic diagram of factors leading to gut dysbiosis and loss of colonization resistance. Antibiotics and diets poor in fiber have been shown to promote gut dysbiosis, reducing the ability of the epithelium to counteract pathogens and foreign bacteria, that is, colonization resistance. While a robust epithelium and gut microbiome usually inhibits the colonization and growth of potentially harmful microorganisms and probiotics, dysbiosis favors the colonization of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and pathogens.