ABSTRACT
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from mouth to anus, represents the most diverse, complex and fragile microenvironment in the mammalian body. The human host and microbiome within are so closely related that many consider it a single “super-organism” (Gill et al. 2006). It has now been well validated that the intestinal microbiota infl uences the physiology, nutritional status, immune function, and overall health status of the host (Morowitz et al. 2011; Bengmark 2013). The intensive care unit (ICU) is an
1 Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, L223A, Portland, OR 97239 USA.
