Environmental microbiota as a regulator of children’s health: a one health perspective

The human microbiota consists of millions of microorganisms, predominantly bacteria, that inhabit the body and form communities. Each human body site has a unique population that is specifically adapted to complement the metabolic functions of the environments in which they are present. These microbial communities begin to form at birth, with their primary establishment occurring during the early years of childhood and persisting in adulthood. However, various internal and external factors can influence their development and induce changes in their composition, leading to a state of dysbiosis, which may compromise the child's health. From a One Health perspective, this review explores how soil microbiota, plant-based food, urban, and household dust, as well as plant-associated microbiota, influence the microbiota of children, which in turn affects their health. We also examine how it is possible to modify the microbiota composition in a child's environment to subsequently alter their microbiota, thereby protecting and strengthening children's health. Further intervention studies are needed to enhance our understanding of the role of environmental microbiota in modulating children's microbiota and overall health.