The human symbiont Mucispirillum schaedleri: causality in health and disease

Trillions of bacteria inhabit the mammalian gastrointestinal tract. In the majority of hosts, these symbionts contribute largely to beneficial functions promoting microbe-host homeostasis. However, an increasing number of human diseases is associated with altered microbiota composition and enrichment of certain bacterial species. A well-known example of this is Mucispirillum schaedleri, which has been associated with inflammatory conditions in the intestine. Mucispirillum spp. belong to the phylum Deferribacteres and are prevalent but low abundant members of the rodent, pig and human microbiota. Recently, M. schaedleri was causally linked to the development of Crohn's disease-like colitis in immunodeficient mice. While this study certifies a considerable pathogenic potential, the same organism can also promote health in the immunocompetent host: M. schaedleri protects from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Tm)-induced colitis by interfering with the expression of the pathogen´s invasion machinery. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the mammalian gut symbiont M. schaedleri and its role in intestinal homeostasis and discuss open questions and perspectives for future research.