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Bacterial–Fungal Interactions: Mutualism, Antagonism, and Competition

Summary

Bacteria and fungi in animal bodies interact in three main ways: they help each other (mutualism), fight each other (antagonism), or compete for resources. These interactions happen in the gut, rumen, and skin of animals. Understanding how to balance these relationships can help create better probiotics and natural alternatives to antibiotics for treating infections and improving animal health.

Background

Bacterial-fungal interactions are fundamental to microbial ecology and profoundly affect animal microbiota balance. These interactions occur in diverse microenvironments including the gut, rumen, and skin. Understanding these complex relationships is crucial for maintaining ecosystem stability and animal health.

Objective

This review synthesizes knowledge on bacterial-fungal interactions in animal microbiota, focusing on mutualism, antagonism, and competition. The study aims to explain molecular mechanisms and ecological functions of these interactions and their applications in animal production and veterinary medicine.

Results

The review identifies three major interaction types: mutualism (functional complementarity through resource sharing), antagonism (reciprocal inhibition including pathogen infection and antibiotic production), and competition (resource and spatial rivalry). Key findings include roles of metabolites like bacilysin, reuterin, and fatty acids in regulating microbial communities.

Conclusion

Understanding bacterial-fungal interactions enables modulation of community structure and functions for improved animal health. The review provides theoretical foundations for developing probiotics, biocontrol agents, and alternatives to antibiotics across agriculture and veterinary medicine with future interdisciplinary research directions.
  • Published in:Life (Basel),
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: PMID: 40868890, DOI: 10.3390/life15081242
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