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It may be surprising to learn that the human gastrointestinal tract is home to [10.sup.14] bacterial organisms. (1) In fact, there are more bacteria in the gut than there are somatic cells in the body. These resident bacteria are referred to as commensal microbiota, and their arrival during the first few postnatal days sets up a symbiotic association that is necessary and crucial to normal physiology. This lifelong association is essential to host pathogen defence and plays an important role in nutrient uptake and metabolism. (2) Immunologists have been aware of this system and its importance to the development of the muscosal and systemic immune systems for a long time. ...