The Core Human Microbiome: Does It Exist and How Can We Find It? A Critical Review of the Concept

Summary

This narrative review examines the state of core human microbiome research, critically assessing whether a consistent set of microbial features exists across populations and the methodological challenges in identifying it. The authors argue that whilst understanding the core microbiome is clinically relevant for identifying dysbiosis and developing targeted interventions, current definitions and analytical approaches remain insufficiently standardised. The review emphasises that advances in DNA sequencing, metagenomics analysis, and expanded characterisation of the holobiont (including fungi, viruses, and immune interactions) will require collaborative input from microbiology, nutrition, immunology, bioinformatics, and machine learning to reliably define core microbiome traits.

Regional applicability

This review's conclusions on standardising microbiome characterisation are globally applicable and relevant to UK clinical practice, nutrition policy, and food systems research. The emphasis on integrating nutritional and immune perspectives is particularly pertinent to UK efforts to link dietary interventions to microbiome-mediated health outcomes.

Key measures

Conceptual definitions of core microbiome; methodological approaches to identifying consistent microbial features; barriers to standardisation; technological and collaborative solutions

Outcomes reported

This critical review synthesises current knowledge on core human microbiome research, identifies limiting factors in defining a reliable core microbiome across populations, and recommends interdisciplinary approaches and technological advances needed to advance the field.

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