Which statement about dysbiosis is true?

• A. It refers to an imbalance between microorganisms in the GI microbiome
• B. It refers to a uniform microbiome
• C. It is synonymous with antibiotic resistance
• D. It only occurs in the stomach

Answer: (A)

Dysbiosis means an imbalance in the gut’s microbial community—the normal balance of microorganisms is disrupted, changing which species are present and how they function. When the microbiome is in balance, there’s a diverse, stable community that supports digestion, barrier function, and immune regulation. Dysbiosis shifts this balance: beneficial microbes can decline, harmful or opportunistic ones can bloom, and overall diversity and metabolic function may be impaired. This is why the true statement is that dysbiosis refers to an imbalance between microorganisms in the GI microbiome.

It’s not about a uniform microbiome, it’s not synonymous with antibiotic resistance, and it’s not limited to the stomach—dysbiosis can occur throughout the GI tract.