Gut microbiome snapshot could reveal chemical exposures in children

(Duke University) Researchers have completed the most comprehensive study to date on how a class of persistent pollutants called semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) are associated with the gut microbiome in human children. The results provide a potential mechanism for measuring exposure to a wide variety of these substances and suggests exposure to toxic halogenated compounds may create a niche for bacteria not usually found in the human gut.
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - Category: Biology Source Type: news