Alterations of the Treatment-Naive Gut Microbiome in Newly Diagnosed Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Abstract

Gut microbiota dysbiosis has been linked to many heath disorders including hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, profiles of the gut microbiota alterations in HCV are inconsistent in the literature and are affected by the treatment regimens. Using samples collected prior to treatment from newly diagnosed patients, we characterized the gut microbiota structure in HCV patients as compared to healthy controls. Treatment-naive HCV microbiota showed increased diversity, an increased abundance of Prevotella, Succinivibrio, Catenibacterium, Megasphaera, and Ruminococcaceae, and a lower abundance of Bacteroides, Dialister, Bilophila, Streptococcus, parabacteroides, Enterobacteriaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae, Rikenellaceae, and Alistipes. Predicted community metagenomic functions showed a depletion of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in HCV microbiota along with perturbations of amino acid metabolism. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis identified five disease-specific operational taxonomic units (OTUs) as potential biomarkers of HCV infections. Collectively, our findings reveal the alteration of gut microbiota in treatment naive HCV patients and suggest that gut microbiota may hold diagnostic promise in HCV infection.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Patients with HBV Infection or Other Chronic Liver Diseases: Update on Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives

“…In contrast with the previously published literature, Sultan et al demonstrated an increased gut microbiota diversity in treatment-naïve patients with HCV infection compared to healthy controls, with a higher abundance of Prevotella, Succinivibrio, Collinsella, Faecalibacterium, Coriobacteriaceae, Catenibacterium, Megasphera, Mitsuokella multacida, and Ruminococcaceae, and a lower abundance of Bacteroides, Dialister, Alistipes, Bilophila, Streptococcus, and Enterobacteriaceae [39].…”

Changes of Gut-Microbiota-Liver Axis in Hepatitis C Virus Infection

“…HCV is considered one of the major etiological agents of hepatitis, which results in severe liver complications, including cirrhosis, HCC, and it may even lead to liver failure and death [ 125 ]. There is little published literature regarding the impact of HCV infection on gut microbiota [ 97 , 121 , 134 , 135 , 136 , 137 , 138 , 139 ]. Additionally, the mechanistic understanding of how microbial dysbiosis participates in the disease’s progression is not completely addressed.…”

“…This HCV-associated depletion of the gut microbiota diversity was mitigated after treatment with antiviral drugs [ 97 ]. In contrast, a recent study reported a lower microbial diversity in healthy adults as compared to treatment of naïve newly diagnosed HCV patients, which illustrates the impact of the treatment as a confounding factor in microbiome studies [ 137 ]. Additionally, this difference in HCV-associated diversity may be attributed to different cohort’s ethnicities, therapeutic factors, and different disease stages.…”

“…For example, this can be achieved by detecting the significant increase in Bacteroides and Enterobacteriaceae during mild liver disease or the significant increase in lactobacilli and viridans streptococci are associated with the progression of the disease [ 112 ]. Sultan and coauthors have recently identified 5 microbiota OTUs that can differentiate HCV patients from healthy individuals [ 137 ].…”

Microbiota and viral hepatitis: State of the art of a complex matter

“…The gut contains a large, complex microbial community that has much more genetic material than the total human genome[ 1 ]. Gut microbiota (GM) acts as a major determinant of complex bidirectional communication between the gut and brain to maintain intestinal homeostasis and host health[ 2 , 3 ]. However, gastrointestinal tract bacteria produce several enzymes, metabolites, and cellular components that can contribute to many disorders such as liver disease[ 3 ], diabetes mellitus[ 4 ], inflammatory bowel disease[ 5 ], irritable bowel syndrome[ 6 ], obesity[ 7 ], colorectal cancer[ 8 ], and mental illness[ 9 ].…”