Skip to main content

Proteobacteria

Meaning

Proteobacteria is a major phylum of Gram-negative bacteria that encompasses a vast and diverse range of microbial species, many of which are prominent inhabitants of the human gut microbiome. While many species are harmless commensals, this phylum also includes several clinically significant pathogenic genera. An elevated relative abundance of Proteobacteria in the gut is often considered a biomarker of dysbiosis and an indicator of increased gut permeability and systemic inflammation.