Composition Of Microbiota In Patients Research Articles

Impact of Pericoronary Microbiota Composition on Course of Recovery after Third Molar Alveotomy

Although the role of microbiota has been investigated in relation to different oral diseases, it is unknown if its composition has any effect on the course of recovery after third molar alveotomy. Our aim was to determine the influence of patient clinical characteristics as well as pericoronary microbiota composition on the course of recovery after a semi-impacted third molar alveotomy. Thirty-six patients were included and samples obtained with paper points, swabs, and tissue samples were analyzed using DNA hybridization and culture methods. Among the 295 organisms detected, the most frequent were Streptococcus spp. (22.4%; 66/295) followed by Fusobacterium spp. (11.9%; 35/295), and T. forsythia (9.1%; 27/295). A comparison of microbiota composition in patients with better and worse recovery did not show significant differences. Worse recovery outcomes were more frequent in patients with a grade 2 self-assessment of oral health (p = 0.040) and better recovery courses were observed in patients with a grade 4 self-assessment (p = 0.0200). A worse recovery course was statistically significant more frequently in patients with previous oral surgical procedures (p = 0.019). Although we demonstrate that worse recovery outcomes were more frequent when certain bacteria were detected, there was no statistically significant difference. Further research is needed to identify microbial profiles specific to the development of worse outcomes after a third molar alveotomy.

Gut microbiota composition in patients with Crohn's disease in Saudi Arabia.

Crohn's disease (CD) entails intricate interactions with gut microbiome diversity, richness, and composition. The relationship between CD and gut microbiome is not clearly understood and has not been previously characterized in Saudi Arabia. We performed statistical analysis about various factors influencing CD activity and microbiota dysbiosis, including diagnosis, treatment, and its impact on their quality of life as well as high-throughput metagenomic V3-V4 16S rRNA encoding gene hypervariable region of a total of eighty patients with CD, both in its active and inactive state with healthy controls. The results were correlated with the demographic and lifestyle information, which the participants provided via a questionnaire. α-diversity measures indicated lower bacterial diversity and richness in the active and inactive CD groups compared to the control group. Greater dysbiosis was observed in the active CD patients compared to the inactive form of the disease, showed by a reduction in microbial diversity. Specific pathogenic bacteria such as Filifactor, Peptoniphilus, and Sellimonas were identified as characteristic of CD groups. In contrast, anti-inflammatory bacteria like Defluviitalea, Papillibacter, and Petroclostridium were associated with the control group. Among the various factors influencing disease activity and microbiota dysbiosis, smoking emerged as the most significant, with reduced α-diversity and richness for the smokers in all groups, and proinflammatory Fusobacteria was more present (p<0.05). Opposite to the control group, microbial diversity and richness were lower in CD participants of older age compared to younger ones, and male CD participants showed less diversity compared to women participants from the same groups. Our results describe the first report on the relationship between microbiota and Crohn's disease progress in Saudi Arabia, which may provide a theoretical basis for the application of therapeutic methods to regulate gut microbes in CD.

Gut microbiota in patients with prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundIncreasing evidence indicates that gut microbiota are closely related to prostate cancer. This study aims to assess the gut microbiota composition in patients with prostate cancer compared to healthy participants, thereby advancing understanding of gut microbiota's role in prostate cancer.MethodsA systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The methodological quality of included studies was evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS), and pertinent data were analyzed. The kappa score assessed interrater agreement.ResultsThis study encompassed seven research papers, involving 250 prostate cancer patients and 192 controls. The kappa was 0.93. Meta-analysis results showed that alpha-diversity of gut microbiota in prostate cancer patients was significantly lower than in the control group. In terms of gut microbiota abundance, the ratio of Proteobacteria, Bacteroidia, Clostridia, Bacteroidales, Clostridiales, Prevotellaceae, Lachnospiraceae, Prevotella, Escherichia-Shigella, Faecalibacterium, and Bacteroides was higher in prostate cancer patients. Conversely, the abundance ratio of Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Selenomonadales, Veillonella, and Megasphaera was higher in the control group.ConclusionOur study reveals differences in alpha-diversity and abundance of gut microbiota between patients with prostate cancer and controls, indicating gut microbiota dysbiosis in those with prostate cancer. However, given the limited quality and quantity of selected studies, further research is necessary to validate these findings.

Intestinal microbiota composition of children with glycogen storage Type I patients

AimDietary therapy of glycogen storage disease I (GSD I) is based on frequent feeding, with a high intake of complex carbohydrates (supplied by uncooked cornstarch), restriction of sugars, and a lower amount of lipids. There is limited information about the dietary regimen in patients with GSD, which might affect the intestinal luminal pH and microbiota composition. The aim of this study to investigate the intestinal microbiota composition in patients with GSD receiving diet treatment.MethodTwelve patients who were followed up with GSD I after the diagnosis receiving diet therapy and 11 healthy children have been enrolled. Intestinal microbiota composition was evaluated by 16 s rRNA gene sequencing.ResultsA significant difference was found for beta-diversity between the GSD group and controls. A significantly lower abundance of Firmicutes and higher abundance of Actinobacteria was found in GSD group compared to the controls. Akkermansia, Pseudoalteromonas, Uruburella, and Castellaniella were dominant in the GSD patients at the genus level, while Faecalibacterium, Bacterioides, Gemmiger, Parabacteroides in the control group. At species level, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii decreased, and Akkermansia muciniphila were dominant in children with GSD.DiscussionThere is a substantial change in the composition of the gut microbiota, reduction of F. prausnitzii and an increase of A. muciniphila in children with GSD receiving consumption of uncooked cornstarch. Alterations of the intestinal microbiota might be related with the disease itself or dietary restrictions in patients with GSD, however, in certain condition, dysbiosis can negatively affect the course and make it difficult to control the disease.

Exploring the interplay between posttraumatic stress disorder, gut microbiota, and inflammatory biomarkers: a comprehensive meta-analysis.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most common mental health disorder to develop following exposure to trauma. Studies have reported conflicting results regarding changes in immune biomarkers and alterations in the abundance of bacterial taxa and microbial diversity in patients with PTSD. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to summarize existing studies examining gut microbiota characteristics and changes in immune biomarkers in patients with PTSD. Relevant studies were systematically searched in PubMed, Scopus, and Embase, published in English between January 1, 1960, and December 1, 2023. The outcomes included changes in abundance and diversity in gut microbiota (gut microbiota part) and changes in immune biomarkers (immune part). The meta-analysis included a total of 15 studies, with 9 focusing on changes in inflammatory biomarkers and 6 focusing on changes in gut microbiota composition in patients with PTSD. No differences were observed between groups for all inflammatory biomarkers (P≥0.05). Two of the six studies found that people with PTSD had less alpha diversity. However, the overall Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) for the Shannon Diversity Index was not significant (SMD 0.27, 95% CI -0.62-0.609, p = 0.110). Regarding changes in abundance, in two of the studies, a significant decrease in Lachnospiraceae bacteria was observed. This meta-analysis provides a comprehensive overview of gut microbiota characteristics in PTSD, suggesting potential associations with immune dysregulation. Future research should address study limitations, explore causal relationships, and consider additional factors influencing immune function in individuals with PTSD. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk, identifier CRD42023476590.

Gut microbiota composition is altered in postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and post-acute COVID-19 syndrome

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) reflects an autonomic dysfunction, which can occur as a complication to COVID-19. Our aim was to examine gastrointestinal symptoms and gut microbiota composition in patients with POTS and post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS), compared with controls. POTS patients (n = 27), PACS patients (n = 32) and controls (n = 39) delivered fecal samples and completed a 4-day food diary, irritable bowel syndrome-severity scoring system (IBS-SSS), and visual analog scale for IBS (VAS-IBS). A total of 98 DNA aliquots were sequenced to an average depth of 28.3 million (M) read pairs (Illumina 2 × 150 PE) per sample. Diversity and taxonomic levels of the microbiome, as well as functional abundances were calculated for POTS and PACS groups, then compared with controls. There were several differences in taxonomic composition between POTS and controls, whereas only the abundance of Ascomycota and Firmicutes differed between PACS and controls. The clinical variables total IBS-SSS, fatigue, and bloating and flatulence significantly correlated with multiple individual taxa abundances, alpha diversity, and functional abundances. We conclude that POTS, and to a less extent PACS, are associated with differences in gut microbiota composition in diversity and at several taxonomic levels. Clinical symptoms are correlated with both alpha diversity and taxonomic and functional abundances.

Associations of gut microbiota alterations with clinical, metabolic, and immune-inflammatory characteristics of chronic schizophrenia

The present study had the following aims: 1) to compare gut microbiota composition in patients with schizophrenia and controls and 2) to investigate the association of differentially abundant bacterial taxa with markers of inflammation, intestinal permeability, lipid metabolism, and glucose homeostasis as well as clinical manifestation. A total of 115 patients with schizophrenia during remission of positive and disorganization symptoms, and 119 controls were enrolled. Altogether, 32 peripheral blood markers were assessed. A higher abundance of Eisenbergiella, Family XIII AD3011 group, Eggerthella, Hungatella, Lactobacillus, Olsenella, Coprobacillus, Methanobrevibacter, Ligilactobacillus, Eubacterium fissicatena group, and Clostridium innocuum group in patients with schizophrenia was found. The abundance of Paraprevotella and Bacteroides was decreased in patients with schizophrenia. Differentially abundant genera were associated with altered levels of immune-inflammatory markers, zonulin, lipid profile components, and insulin resistance. Moreover, several correlations of differentially abundant genera with cognitive impairment, higher severity of negative symptoms, and worse social functioning were observed. The association of Methanobrevibacter abundance with the level of negative symptoms, cognition, and social functioning appeared to be mediated by the levels of interleukin-6 and RANTES. In turn, the association of Hungatella with the performance of attention was mediated by the levels of zonulin. The findings indicate that compositional alterations of gut microbiota observed in patients with schizophrenia correspond with clinical manifestation, intestinal permeability, subclinical inflammation, lipid profile alterations, and impaired glucose homeostasis. Subclinical inflammation and impaired gut permeability might mediate the association of gut microbiota alterations with psychopathological symptoms and cognitive impairment.

Therapeutic success in primary biliary cholangitis and gut microbiota: a safe highway?

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic, cholestatic, autoimmune disease, characterized by destruction of bile ducts. PBC predominantly affects women between 40 and 60 years of age. The presence of antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA) is a serological feature of PBC. These highly specific antibodies are found in about 95% of patients with the disease. The family of enzymes located in the inner membrane of the mitochondria, called the 2-oxo-acid dehydrogenase complex represents the target of the AMA. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a synthetic bile acid capable of protecting cholangiocytes from cholestatic damage caused by the accumulation of bile acids with a mechanism of action not yet well clarified. UDCA represents the gold standard therapy for PBC patients with recommended dose of 13-15 mg/kg/day. However, not every patient responds to therapy. On the other hand, the gut microbiota plays a key role in the onset of PBC through still unclear biochemical pathways. Less is known about its role as a potential biomarker after drug treatment. Actually, few studies analyzed the changes in gut microbiota composition before and after UDCA treatment. For this reason, this review represents an examination of the studies carried out on changes in gut microbiota composition in patients affected by PBC before and after treatment.

Platelet amino acid spectrum and gut microbiota, their links in patients with coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation

Background. The aim of our work was to identify the links between platelet amino acid (AA) spectrum and gut microbiota composition in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and atrial fibrillation (AF) and to evaluate them. Materials and methods. Three hundred patients were enrolled in the study. They were divided into 3 groups: I (CAD) — 149 patients with CAD but without arrhythmias, II (CAD + AF) — 124 people with CAD and AF paroxysm, and control group (CG) — 27 individuals without CAD and arrhythmias. Platelet AA level was assessed by method of ion-exchange liquid column chromatography. Gut microbiota composition was studied by 16-S rRNA sequencing. Results. A significant increase in isoleucine (10.73 %), leucine (12.63 %) and a decrease in threonine (23.05 %), serine (5.06 %), glycine (32.21 %) and valine (30.83 %) platelets levels was found in patients with CAD and AF (P &lt; 0.05). In addition, they had a significant increase in Bacteroides spp., Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Actinobacter spp., Streptococcus spp., Ruminococcus spp. and a decrease in Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., Eubacterium rectale (P &lt; 0.05). Platelet glutamine acid, valine, glycine, asparagine acid, threonine had the highest number of significant correlations with gut microbiota species (P &lt; 0.05). Actinobacter spp., Blautia spp., Streptococcus spp., Akkermansia muciniphila and Roseburia inulinivorans had the highest number of significant correlations with platelet amino acids (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusions. Platelet amino acid spectrum and gut microbiota composition in patients with coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation are closely linked.

Gut Microbiota and Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Overview of Correlations and Potential Implications for Therapeutic Interventions

Gut Microbiota and Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Overview of Correlations and Potential Implications for Therapeutic Interventions Abstract: At the beginning of research on microbiota, researchers focused mainly on the role of microbiota dysbiosis in the development of gastrointestinal diseases. However, over the last years, researchers have also identified correlations with other physical processes and neuropsychiatric diseases such as autism spectrum disorder. These correlations are believed to be at least partly mediated through the brain-gut-microbiome axis. An altered composition of microbiota in patients with autism spectrum disorder was detected compared to healthy controls. Today, the discussion centers around a possible systemic impact of the metabolites of some microbiota or microbiota-induced chronic inflammatory processes on the brain (mediated through the brain-gut-microbiome axis) as an underlying mechanism. Still, the specific underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown, so conclusions on therapeutic implications are difficult to determine. Here, we describe some promising approaches to improving autistic behavior through dietary changes, the use of prebiotics and probiotics, stool transplantation from healthy controls, and restricted absorbance of certain metabolites. We need further clinical studies of high quality to fully understand the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder and to improve diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Altered Bile Acid and Pouch Microbiota Composition in Patients With Chronic Pouchitis.

Patients with ulcerative colitis and total abdominal proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis have a 50% risk of pouchitis and a 5% to 10% risk of chronic pouchitis. The goal of the study was to compare pouch microbiota and stool bile acid composition in patients with chronic pouchitis, chronic pouchitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis, and normal pouch. Patients with ulcerative colitis and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis were recruited from March 20, 2014, to August 6, 2019, and categorized into normal pouch, chronic pouchitis, and chronic pouchitis/primary sclerosing cholangitis groups. Stool samples were subjected to bile acid quantification and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Statistical comparisons of absolute bile acid abundance and pouch microbiota α-diversity, β-diversity, and taxa abundance were performed among the patient groups. A total of 51 samples were analyzed. Both α-diversity (P = .01, species richness) and β-diversity (P = .001) significantly differed among groups. Lithocholic acid was significantly lower in patients with chronic pouchitis/primary sclerosing cholangitis than in those with chronic pouchitis (P = .01) or normal pouch (P = .03). Decreased α-diversity was associated with an increased primary to secondary bile acid ratio (P = .002), which was also associated with changes in β-diversity (P = .006). Pouch microbiota α- and β-diversity differed among patients with normal pouch, chronic pouchitis, and chronic pouchitis/primary sclerosing cholangitis. Lithocholic acid level and primary to secondary bile acid ratio were highly associated with pouch microbiota richness, structure, and composition. These findings emphasize the associations between pouch microbiota and bile acid composition in dysbiosis and altered metabolism, suggesting that secondary bile acids are decreased in chronic pouchitis.

Distinct Microbial Taxa Are Associated with LDL-Cholesterol Reduction after 12 Weeks of Lactobacillus plantarum Intake in Mild Hypercholesterolemia: Results of a Randomized Controlled Study.

Probiotic microbes such as Lactobacillus may reduce serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of Lactobacillus plantarum strains CECT7527, CECT7528, and CECT7529 (LP) on the serum lipids, cardiovascular parameters, and fecal gut microbiota composition in patients with mild hypercholesterolemia. A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial with 86 healthy adult participants with untreated elevated LDL cholesterol ≥ 160mg/dl was conducted. Participants were randomly allocated to either placebo or LP (1.2 × 109CFU/d) for 12weeks. LDL, HDL, TC, and triglycerides (TG), cardiovascular parameters (blood pressure, arterial stiffness), and fecal gut microbiota composition (16S rRNA gene sequencing) were assessed at baseline and after 12weeks. Both groups were comparable regarding age, sex, and LDL-C at baseline. LDL-C decreased (mean decrease - 6.6mg/dl ±  - 14.0mg/dl, Ptime*group = 0.006) in the LP group but not in the placebo group. No effects were observed on HDL, TG, or cardiovascular parameters or overall gut microbiota composition. Responders to LP intervention (> 5% LDL-C reduction) were characterized by higher BMI, pronounced TC reduction, higher abundance of fecal Roseburia, and lower abundance of Oscillibacter. In conclusion, 12weeks of L. plantarum intake moderately reduced LDL-C and TC as compared to placebo. LDL-C-lowering efficacy of L. plantarum strains may potentially be dependent on individual difference in the gut microbiota. Trial registration: DRKS00020384, dated 07/01/2020.

Intestinal injury and the gut microbiota in patients with Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

The pathophysiology of severe falciparum malaria involves a complex interaction between the host, parasite, and gut microbes. In this review, we focus on understanding parasite-induced intestinal injury and changes in the human intestinal microbiota composition in patients with Plasmodium falciparum malaria. During the blood stage of P. falciparum infection, infected red blood cells adhere to the vascular endothelium, leading to widespread microcirculatory obstruction in critical tissues, including the splanchnic vasculature. This process may cause intestinal injury and gut leakage. Epidemiological studies indicate higher rates of concurrent bacteraemia in severe malaria cases. Furthermore, severe malaria patients exhibit alterations in the composition and diversity of the intestinal microbiota, although the exact contribution to pathophysiology remains unclear. Mouse studies have demonstrated that the gut microbiota composition can impact susceptibility to Plasmodium infections. In patients with severe malaria, the microbiota shows an enrichment of pathobionts, including pathogens that are known to cause concomitant bloodstream infections. Microbial metabolites have also been detected in the plasma of severe malaria patients, potentially contributing to metabolic acidosis and other clinical complications. However, establishing causal relationships requires intervention studies targeting the gut microbiota.

Gut Microbiota Composition in Patients with Neurodegenerative Disorders (Parkinson's and Alzheimer's) and Healthy Controls: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current literature regarding gut microbiota composition in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) compared to healthy controls. To identify the relevant studies, a thorough search of PubMed, Medline, and Embase was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Out of 5627 articles, 73 studies were assessed for full-text eligibility, which led to the inclusion of 42 studies (26 PD and 16 AD studies). The risk of bias assessment showed a medium risk in 32 studies (20 PD studies and 12 AD studies), a low risk in 9 studies (5 PD studies and 4 AD studies), and 1 PD study with a high risk. Among the PD studies, 22 out of 26 studies reported a different gut microbiota composition between the PD cases and the healthy controls, and 15 out of 16 AD studies reported differences in gut microbiota composition between the AD cases and the healthy controls. The PD and AD studies consistently identified the phyla Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria as prevalent in the gut microbiota in both the healthy groups and the case groups. Microbial dysbiosis was specifically characterized in the PD studies by a high abundance of Akkermansia, Verrucomicrobiaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Ruminococcaceae in the cases and a high abundance of Blautia, Coprococcus, Prevotellaceae, and Roseburia in the controls. Similarly, Bacteroides and Acidobacteriota were abundant in the AD cases, and Acidaminococcaceae, Firmicutes, Lachnospiraceae, and Ruminiclostridium were abundant in the AD controls. The microbial signature assessment showed the association of several microbial taxa, including Akkermansia, Lachnospiraceae, Verrucomicrobiaceae, Bifidobacterium, Ruminococcacea, and Verrucomicrobia with PD and Ruminococcaceae, Bacteroides, and Actinobacteria with AD. The microbial diversity evaluations in the PD and AD studies indicated comparable alpha diversity in some groups and distinct gut microbiota composition in others, with consistent beta diversity differences between the cases and the controls across multiple studies. The bacterial signatures identified in this study that are associated with PD and AD may offer promising prospects for efficient management and treatment approaches.

Perturbations in gut microbiota composition in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundThe results of human observational studies on the correlation between gut microbiota perturbations and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have been contradictory. This study aimed to perform the first systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the specificity of the gut microbiota in PCOS patients compared to healthy women.MethodsLiterature through May 22, 2023, was searched on PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Wiley Online Library databases. Unreported data in diversity indices were filled by downloading and processing raw sequencing data. Systematic review inclusion: original studies were eligible if they applied an observational case-control design, performed gut microbiota analysis and reported diversity or abundance measures, sampled general pre-menopausal women with PCOS, and are longitudinal studies with baseline comparison between PCOS patients and healthy females. Systematic review exclusion: studies that conducted interventional or longitudinal comparisons in the absence of a control group. Two researchers made abstract, full-text, and data extraction decisions, independently. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist was used to assess the methodologic quality. Hedge’s g standardized mean difference (SMD), confidence intervals (CIs), and heterogeneity (I2) for alpha diversity were calculated. Qualitative syntheses of beta-diversity and microbe alterations were performed.ResultsTwenty-eight studies (n = 1022 patients, n = 928 control) that investigated gut microbiota by collecting stool samples were included, with 26 and 27 studies having provided alpha-diversity and beta-diversity results respectively. A significant decrease in microbial evenness and phylogenetic diversity was observed in PCOS patients when compared with control participants (Shannon index: SMD = − 0.27; 95% CI, − 0.37 to − 0.16; phylogenetic diversity: SMD = − 0.39; 95% CI, -− 0.74 to − 0.03). We also found that reported beta-diversity was inconsistent between studies. Despite heterogeneity in bacterial relative abundance, we observed depletion of Lachnospira and Prevotella and enrichment of Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, Lactobacillus, Fusobacterium, and Escherichia/Shigella in PCOS. Gut dysbiosis in PCOS, which might be characterized by the reduction of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing and bile-acid-metabolizing bacteria, suggests a shift in balance to favor pro-inflammatory rather than anti-inflammatory bacteria.ConclusionsGut dysbiosis in PCOS is associated with decreased diversity and alterations in bacteria involved in microbiota-host crosstalk.Trial registrationPROSPERO registration: CRD42021285206, May 22, 2023.

Alteration of gut microbiota composition in patients with cholangiocarcinoma with non-responsiveness to first-line chemotherapy: A pilot study.

4104 Background: Gut microbiota established crucial roles in host metabolism and several diseases, particularly cancers. Distinct bacterial profiles from intestine are found to be a potential factor in carcinogenesis, while some of those are associated with detrimental treatment to the responsiveness in various types of cancer. Association of gut microbiota and treatment outcome has been thoroughly investigated in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICCA). The present study aimed to compare gut microbiota profiles between chemotherapy responder and non-responder in ICCA patients. Methods: Unresectable or metastatic ICCA patients were recruited in the study. The criteria of all patients were naïve to chemotherapy. All patients received first line combination of cisplatin 25 mg/m2 and gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 at day1 and day 8 in every 21-day cycle and were given up to 8 cycles. The primary endpoint was to evaluate the association between gut microbiota and the objective response rate. Bacterial genomic DNA samples were extracted from the stool using a commercial genomic DNA isolation kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) and then underwent next-generation sequencing. Data analyses were conducted by using QIIME2 and Analysis of Compositions of Microbiomes with Bias Correction (ANCOM-BC). Results: Seventeen ICCA patients were recruited. The objective response rate was 23.5% comparable to historical study. Chemotherapy responder group was defined as partial response patients (N = 4) and chemotherapy non-responder group included stable of disease and progressive disease (N = 13). Baseline characteristics were similar including age, sex, ECOG performance status, numbers of metastatic organ and CA 19-9 in two groups. Median Age were 63 years old (60-70) and 61 (45-73), respectively. Alpha-diversity and beta-diversity were not different between two groups. In chemotherapy non-responder group, some taxa were dominantly observed including Ruminococcaceae, Oribacterium, Oxalobacter, Peptostreptococcus, Aggregabacter, which had been previously reported increasing in ICCA patients. Interestingly, Ruminococcaceae, which was previously documented to be correlated with vascular invasion, was significantly increased abundance in non-responder group. Moreover, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was improved in chemotherapy responder group compared to non-responder group 11.8 and 6.6 month, respectively. Large sample sizes study to confirm this study result should be developed. Conclusions: Distinct bacteria from gut microbiota such as Ruminococcaceae has inversely associated with chemotherapy response in ICCA patients receiving first line cisplatin and gemcitabine combination, suggesting the possibility of the poorer PFS.

Vaginal and Cervical Microbiota Composition in Patients with Endometrial Cancer.

According to recent data, changes in the vaginal microbiota could affect the risk of gynaecological cancers. Women suffering from endometrial cancer present significant changes in cervicovaginal microbiota composition. The objective of our study was to characterize the cervicovaginal microbiota of women undergoing hysterectomy due to benign disease, atypical hyperplasia, and endometrial cancer; The study included 96 patients, who undergone surgical treatment due to benign uterine disease, precancerous endometrial lesion, and endometrial cancer. Quantitative and qualitative real-time PCR analysis of DNA isolated from vaginal fornix and endocervical canal samples was performed to detect the 19 most commonly identified microorganisms, including different Lactobacillus spp., Atopobium, Bifidobacterium, Chlamydia, and Gardnerella; At least one of the tested microorganisms was identified in 88.5% of vaginal and 83.3% of cervical samples. Lactobacillus iners was significantly more frequent in patients with benign condition, whereas Dialister pneumosintes and Mobiluncus curtisii was more frequent in cancer patients; Mobiluncus curtisi and Dialister pneumosintes, which were identified as significantly more common in endometrial cancer vaginal samples, may be considered as potential endometrial cancer co-factors which promote/stimulate carcinogenesis. However, the exact mechanism of such activity remains unexplained and requires further investigations.

A change in the gut microbiota composition in patients with chronic heart failure and small bacterial overgrowth syndrome

A change in the gut microbiota composition is a risk factor for the development and progression of a number of socially significant diseases. Thus, the prevalence of small bacterial overgrowth syndrome (SBOS) in patients with chronic heart failure CHF) is 38.2–42.0%, as shown by different data, which greatly exceeds that among the persons without CHF. SBOS in CHF is associated with the higher risk of long-term complications (hospitalization and death). Objective. To study the qualitative changes in the large bowel gut microbiota in patients with CHF and SBOS. Subjects and methods. The investigation enrolled 60 patients with CHF and a left ventricular ejection fraction of &lt;50%, as evidenced by echocardiography (after Simpton), who had undergone lactulose hydrogen breath test for the diagnosis of SBOS. According to the test results, the patients were divided into 2 groups; 1) 25 patients with SBOSs; 2) 25 patients without SBOS. In both groups, sequencing of 165 ribosomal RNA was used to study gut microbiota in the fecal samples. Results. Group 1 displayed a decrease in the Shannon index when calculated by bacterial types as compared with that in Group 2 (0.61 [0.49; 0.72] and 0.75 [0.58; 0.86], respectively; p=0.03). Group 1 also exhibited lower levels of the representatives of the Verrucomicrobia type as compared with Group 2 (0.21 [0.00; 4.03] and 2.61 [0.95; 8.02]%, respectively; p=0.05), in particular the Verrucomicrobiaceae family (0.21 [0.00; 4.03] and 2.61 [0.50; 8.42]%, respectively; p=0.05). The decreased level of the representatives of the Verrucomicrobiaceae family in patients with SBOS (Group 1) was due to the lower levels of the representatives of the Akkermansia genus (p=0.05), the only identified representative of which in this study was Akkermansia muciniphila; there were also decreased levels of the representatives of the Desulfovibrio genus (p=0.01), an increase in the representatives of the Dorea genus (p=0.005), as well as those presented in a small number of patients of Papillibacter (p = 0.02), Coprobacillus (p=0.02), Oribacterium (p=0,02), Clostridium cluster XVIII (p=0.05), Slackia genera (p=0.01). In addition, there were lower levels of the representatives of the the Dorea genus (p=0.005), as well as those presented in a small number of patients of Papillibacter (p = .0.02), Coprobacillus (p=0.02), Oribacterium (p=0,02), Clostridium cluster XVIII (p=0.05), Slackia genera (p=0.01).

Disease-modifying therapy for multiple sclerosis: Implications for gut microbiota.

Growing evidence has suggested the involvement of gut microbiota in the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS). Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) exert a parallel effect on the gut microenvironment with subsequent modulation of the intestinal and systemic immune system. Herein, we summarize the current literature on the effect of DMTs on the gut microbiome and possible implications for MS. All the literature available in PubMed on the effects of DMTs on the gut microbiota composition in patients with MS was reviewed. We used multiple combinations of the following keywords: "multiple sclerosis; demyelinating disease; gut microbiome; microbiome; brain-gut axis; diet; fecal microbiome; disease modifying therapy; immunomodulator; interferon; glatiramer acetate; teriflunomide; dimethyl fumarate; natalizumab; alemtuzumab; anti-CD20; fingolimod". All the original research articles available in English were included in this narrative review. Ten original full-text articles were considered eligible, including seven case-control and three cohort studies. First-line DMTs, including oral and subcutaneous treatments (dimethyl fumarate, glatiramer acetate, and interferon β 1b) were considered, while a small number of patients with MS were under natalizumab, fingolimod and anti-CD20 treatments. Emerging evidence reported changes in the gut microbiome during exposition to DMTs. However, the association between DMTs exposure and microbial changes was mostly indirect, and the results of the different studies needed to be more consistent. The mitigation of methodological bias is necessary for future studies to allow the identification of a "microbial signature" related to MS pathophysiology, the role of DMTs, and possible prognostic implications.

A systematic review of gut microbiota profile in COVID-19 patients and among those who have recovered from COVID-19.

Given the scale and persistence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), significant attention has been devoted to understanding the relationship between human gut microbiota and COVID-19. In this systematic review we aimed to comprehensively assess the gut microbiota composition in patients infected with COVID-19 and those recovered from COVID-19 in comparison to healthy controls (HCs). Peer-reviewed articles and preprints published up to September 1, 2022, were searched in Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, and SCOPUS. Observational studies reporting the gut microbiota profile in adult (≥18 years) COVID-19 patients or those recovered from COVID-19 compared to HCs were eligible for inclusion in this systematic review. The quality assessment of studies was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. We identified 27 studies comprising 18 studies that compared COVID-19 patients and six that compared recovered COVID-19 patients to HCs, while the other three studies compared both COVID-19 and recovered COVID-19 patients to HCs. Compared to HCs, decreased gut microbial diversity and richness and a distinctive microbial composition were reported in COVID-19 patients and recovered COVID-19 patients. In COVID-19 patients, Bacteroidetes were found to be enriched, and Firmicutes depleted. Decreased short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria, such as Faecalibacterium, Ruminococcus, and Bifidobacterium, among others, were also observed in COVID-19 patients, which were not restored to normal levels in those who recovered. Gut dysbiosis was evident in COVID-19, and available data suggested that dysbiosis persisted even in recovered COVID-19 patients, with decreased Firmicutes and SCFA-producing bacteria.