Correlation between faecal microbial taxa and ulcerative colitis in different phases of disease activity in a north Indian cohort

Abstract

Objective: A link between gut microbiota and Ulcerative Colitis (UC) has been established in several studies. However, a few studies have examined specific changes in microbiota associated with different phases of disease activity in UC. In this study, we investigated phenotypic variability underlying genetically distinct north Indian (NI) UC patients by identifying differentially abundant taxa between (i) UC patients and healthy controls and (ii) different disease phases of disease activity. Design: 16S rRNA (V3,V4) sequencing of 105 patients with UC [newly diagnosed (n=14); patients in remission (n=36) and active disease (relapse, n=55)]; and 36 healthy controls was performed. The faecal microbiota composition in different phases of UC disease activity and healthy controls was analysed. Results: Lower gut microbial diversity; enrichment of lactate-producing bacteria namely Streptococcus, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus; and depletion of butyrate-producing bacteria (e.g., Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae), was observed among UC patients. Subgroup analysis revealed differential abundance of Escherichia-Shigella, Streptococcus, Enterococcus and Faecalibacterium in newly diagnosed UC patients. No discrete microbial features were observed between patients in remission and those with active disease. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed a mutualistic association between opportunistic pathogens and Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus and antagonistic relationship with butyrate-producers. Conclusion: This first faecal microbiome study elucidated dysanaerobiosis; loss of short chain fatty acid producers and enrichment of inflammation associated microbes; population specific differential microbial genera; and microbial signature for early dysbiosis, among NI UC cohort.

Enrichment of Lactic Acid-Producing Bacteria in the Fecal Microbiota of Patients with Ulcerative Colitis in North India

“…This study has previously been presented as a preprint entitled "Correlation between faecal microbial taxa and ulcerative colitis in different phases of disease activity in a north Indian cohort" on medRxiV [63]. Vijay Verma current address is North Florida Research and Education Centre, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Quincy 32351, USA.…”