Immunological memory - Immunological memory is carried by memory lymphocytes. Since they are relatively short-lived, the immune system may lose its memory when they are gone. Immunological memory might be refreshed by persisting antigens. Apparently, bacterial translocation provides the necessary antigenic stimulus for memory persistence. Translocated bacteria may be vital to our health.
Microbes are everywhere, and inhabit our skin and intestine.
The newborn baby receives its microbial flora, which already infects it at birth, from its mother. The development of our personal microbial community, known as primary succession, involves an ordered sequential change in the microbial populations of the community. Succession ends when the community consists of up to 400 different species, and attains homeostasis. Eco-system evolution is a complex process that repeats itself in every growing child. By infecting the baby, its mother transmits to it the best microbial populations that she has gathered.