Final answer:
The hypothesis that microbiota in the son arrive by infection is supported by the acquisition of microorganisms during birth and the presence of bacteria in the blood. The colonization of microbiota can be influenced by infection and affect health outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hypothesis that microbiota in the son arrive by infection is supported by the fact that newborns acquire microorganisms from their mothers during birth. The microbiome in the infant's gut is initially dependent on factors such as delivery mode and feeding regime. Research has shown that infants born vaginally are predominantly colonized by vaginal lactobacillus, while those born by cesarean section are more frequently colonized by microbes of the normal skin microbiota.
Furthermore, the presence of bacteria in Michael's blood, which is normally sterile, is a sign of infection. The bacteria likely entered through the gastrointestinal route, possibly from contaminated food like hot dogs, causing listeriosis.
Overall, these examples demonstrate how the acquisition and colonization of microbiota can be influenced by infection and contribute to health outcomes and susceptibility to disease.