Characterisation of the gastrointestinal mucosa‐associated microbiota: a novel technique to prevent cross‐contamination during endoscopic procedures

Abstract

Cross-contamination can occur when mucosal biopsies are taken during standard endoscopic procedures. Utilising the novel Brisbane Aseptic Biopsy Device can reduce cross-contamination, and it offers improved opportunities to more precisely examine host-mucosa-associated microbiota interactions.

Dyspepsia and the microbiome: time to focus on the small intestine

“…Recent observations have revealed low level duodenal and systemic inflammation in patients with FD (notably duodenal eosinophilia),5 6 and increased duodenal permeability,7 making changes to the microbiota a factor of interest. Using previously described methods,4 the duodenal mucosal microbiota was assessed in patients with FD (Rome III; n=9) and controls (screening for iron-deficiency anaemia, mucosal/coeliac disease excluded; n=9) matched for age, sex and body mass index.…”

Letter: investigating the intestinal mucosa‐associated microbiota – relevance and potential pitfalls

“…SIRS, We read with great interest the paper from Shanahan et al 1 We completely agree with the authors about the relevant role of an accurate evaluation of the mucosal-associated microbiota, which represents the part of the intestinal flora directly interacting with the host.…”

“…the possible cross-contamination of bioptic samples with luminal bacteria, may be more relevant for upper gastrointestinal tract biopsies than for ileal and colonic ones. 1 Indeed, for the latter, the bowel-cleansing regimen that precedes the colonoscopy may represent the real confounding factor to take into account. In fact, while bowel preparation can represent, from one side, a negative factor by inducing changes in the mucosal bacteria composition per-se, 6 on the other hand, it may be a positive factor by reducing luminal bacteria concentration and therefore the potential risk of cross-contamination during biopsy collection.…”

Life in the small intestine: the forgotten microbiome?

“…We have recently described an approach in which a sheathed biopsy forceps, designed to remain free of luminal and oral material during sampling of the mucosa, was utilised during endoscopy procedures to sample the small intestinal mucosa 31 . This type of technique is not routinely utilised when sampling in the GI tract, and has facilitated a targeted assessment of the duodenal MAM using molecular and culture-based approaches (Figure 2).…”