Gut microbiome and plasma lipidome analysis reveals a specific impact of Clostridioides difficile infection on intestinal bacterial communities and sterol metabolism.

Abstract

There is increasing evidence about the influence the changes in microbiota and its metabolism has on numerous diseases and infections such as Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). The knowledge of these changes at local and systemic levels can help us manage this infection to avoid recurrences and apply the best therapies, such as fecal microbiota transfer (FMT). This study shows a better restoration of the gut in FMT-treated patients than in antibiotic-treated patients, resembling healthy controls and showing increased levels of cholesterol-reducing bacteria. Furthermore, it evidences the CDI impact on plasma lipidome. We observed in CDI patients a global depletion in circulating lipids, particularly cholesteryl esters, and a specific decrease in linoleic acid-containing lipids, an essential fatty acid. Our observations could impact CDI management because the lipid content was only partially recovered after treatment, suggesting that continued nutritional support, aiming to restore healthy lipid levels, could be essential for a full recovery.