Fecal microbiota in inflammatory bowel disease: Studies of lactobacillus and bifidobacteria diversity

Abstract

<br><b>Background:</b> Diversity of microbial species is a hallmark of dysbiosis in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study was undertaken to determine whether the diversity of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, two regulatory microbial genera, is altered in patients with IBD. <b>Methods:</b> DNA from fecal samples of 20 healthy volunteers, 20 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), and 25 patients with Crohn's disease (CD) was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences specific to genus Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Real-time PCR was done to quantitate bacterial abundance. Amplified DNA was also bar coded and sequenced on the Roche 454 platform. Individual operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were taken as sequences with at least 97% similarity. <b>Results:</b> Abundance of Lactobacillus was significantly increased in UC compared to controls; no other difference in Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium abundance was found between the three groups. Median reads for genus Lactobacillus was similar between control (940), UC (994), and CD (960) groups. The median number of OTUs per sample was not significantly different between controls (6), UC (5.5) and CD (7). The Shannon index of community diversity was similar between controls (median 1.12), UC (median 1.13) and CD (median 1.11). The Simpson D index was also similar between controls (median 0.393), UC (median 0.439) and CD (median 0.409). Median reads for genus Bifidobacterium was similar between control (846), UC (1052), and CD (964) groups. The median number of Bifidobacteria OTUs per sample was similar for controls (6), UC (7) and CD (8.5). The Shannon index of community diversity was similar between controls (median 0.75), UC (median 1.0) and CD (median 1.14). The Simpson D index was also similar between controls (median 0.570), UC (median 0.422) and CD (median 0.409). <b>Conclusion:</b> The abundance of Lactobacillus was increased in UC. Diversity of genus Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium was not altered in either UC or CD.<br>