The Fungal Mycobiota: Small Numbers, Large Impacts

Fungi are an underappreciated component of the human gut microbiota. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Wheeler et al. (2016) demonstrate that fungal dysbiosis induced by antifungal treatment or inoculation with typically rare fungi results in exaggerated immune responses, suggesting that fungal colonizers play key roles in immune homeostasis. Fungi are an underappreciated component of the human gut microbiota. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Wheeler et al. (2016) demonstrate that fungal dysbiosis induced by antifungal treatment or inoculation with typically rare fungi results in exaggerated immune responses, suggesting that fungal colonizers play key roles in immune homeostasis.