DIFFERENTIAL ABUNDANCE OF THE FUNGAL MYCOBIOME IN PATIENTS WITH ULCERATIVE COLITIS

Abstract

The fungal mycobiome has been increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Circulating antibodies to Saccharomyces antibodies are detected in 60-70% of Crohn’s disease and in 10-15% of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Specific fungal species, including Candida albicans, are increased in active IBD compared to healthy controls. Recently, UC patients with high fecal Candida prior to fecal microbial transplantation (FMT) were more likely to demonstrate robust treatment responses to transplant, with low Candida levels post-FMT predicting ameliorated inflammation in the recipient. Despite the accumulation of findings supporting the role of fungi in IBD, the mycobiome remains poorly characterized in UC. Few studies have examined changes in the UC mycobiome with respect to validated endoscopic indices or histologic parameters; furthermore, the effects of treatment exposure, including biologic medications, on fungal communities in UC are unknown.