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Editorial
. 2018 May 7;5(5):215-219.
doi: 10.15698/mic2018.05.628.

Microbial wars: Competition in ecological niches and within the microbiome

Maria A Bauer  1 , Katharina Kainz  1 , Didac Carmona-Gutierrez  1 , Frank Madeo  1   2
Affiliations
Editorial

Microbial wars: Competition in ecological niches and within the microbiome

Maria A Bauer et al. Microb Cell. .

Abstract

Many microbial communities live in highly competitive surroundings, in which the fight for resources determines their survival and genetic persistence. Humans live in a close relationship with microbial communities, which includes the health- and disease-determining interactions with our microbiome. Accordingly, the understanding of microbial competitive activities are essential at physiological and pathophysiological levels. Here we provide a brief overview on microbial competition and discuss some of its roles and consequences that directly affect humans.

Keywords: Candida; Escherichia coli; active competition; antibiotics; ecological stability; microbiome; niche; passive competition; probiotics; selection.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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