A gut feeling about immunity

“…11 Presence of A. muciniphila has been associated with healthy microbiota and support of intestinal integrity due to its capacity to produce the anti-inflammatory metabolite butyrate. 15 Aside from A. muciniphila, most butyrate-producing species belong to the Firmicutes phylum, especially the subordinate Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae families whose presence correlates with healthy microbiota. 16 Interestingly, both Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae in the Z€ urich Patient 6 to 7 months post-FMT were more abundant when compared to the healthy microbiota of donor and patient after 4.5 y (Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fecal microbiota transplantation to fight Clostridium difficile infections and other intestinal diseases

Moelling

Broecker

2016

Bacteriophage

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We have analyzed fecal bacterial and viral communities of a patient with recurrent infection (rCDI) who was cured by fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). The "Zürich Patient" experienced immediate cure and has remained free of symptoms for now over 5 y. Donor-similar bacterial compositions after 4.5 y post-FMT demonstrated sustainable engraftment of donor microbiota predominated by and bacteria. Appearance of beneficial species and was detected while disease-related decreased. Stabilization of the microbiota took longer than expected from the rapidly improving clinical symptoms, suggesting the need for longer-lasting patient observation. The virome was mainly composed of bacteriophages but surprisingly also contained sequences related to a giant virus that normally infects green algae not known to inhabitate the human intestine. FMT is highly effective against rCDI and is presently broadening its application to other conditions including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Here, we discuss the prospects and challenges of FMT against rCDI and other indications including a focus on bacteriophages.

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“…Following FMT, the majority of successfully treated patients, within days or weeks, attained highly donor‐similar bacterial compositions with increased diversity, replenished Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, particularly Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae butyrate producers, and decreased Proteobacteria . This supports the concept that diverse microbiota provide colonization resistance of C. difficile through competition for nutrients and ecological niches, while butyrogenic bacteria may help to restore intestinal integrity and alleviate inflammation . Longitudinal studies showed that, after the immediate substantial shift, microbiota did not return to the dysbiotic pre‐FMT state .…”

Section: Intestinal Microbiota: State Of Knowledge and Implications Fmentioning

confidence: 60%

“…High levels of A. muciniphila in the patient during the dysbiotic time period 6–7 months post‐FMT suggested a role for A. muciniphila in supporting a functional microbiota, perhaps compensating for low levels of phylum Bacteroidetes. The butyrate producer A. muciniphila has been associated with support of intestinal integrity and anti‐inflammatory effects and is a common constituent of a healthy microbiota . Another important species is Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (Ruminococcaceae family), likewise associated with a healthy gut microbiota .…”

Section: Zürich Patient: Microbiota Changes After Fmtmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long‐term microbiota and virome in a Zürich patient after fecal transplantation against Clostridium difficile infection

Broecker

Klumpp

Moelling

2016

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

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Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an emerging therapeutic option for Clostridium difficile infections that are refractory to conventional treatment. FMT introduces fecal microbes into the patient's intestine that prevent the recurrence of C. difficile, leading to rapid expansion of bacteria characteristic of healthy microbiota. However, the long‐term effects of FMT remain largely unknown. The C. difficile patient described in this paper revealed protracted microbiota adaptation processes from 6 to 42 months post‐FMT. Ultimately, bacterial communities were donor similar, suggesting sustainable stool engraftment. Since little is known about the consequences of transmitted viruses during C. difficile infection, we also interrogated virome changes. Our approach allowed identification of about 10 phage types per sample that represented larger viral communities, and phages were found to be equally abundant in the cured patient and donor. The healthy microbiota appears to be characterized by low phage abundance. Although viruses were likely transferred, the patient established a virome distinct from the donor. Surprisingly, the patient had sequences of algal giant viruses (chloroviruses) that have not previously been reported for the human gut. Chloroviruses have not been associated with intestinal disease, but their presence in the oropharynx may influence cognitive abilities. The findings suggest that the virome is an important indicator of health or disease. A better understanding of the role of viruses in the gut ecosystem may uncover novel microbiota‐modulating therapeutic strategies.

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A gut feeling about immunity

Cited by 8 publications

References 16 publications

Restoring Mucosal Barrier Function and Modifying Macrophage Phenotype with an Extracellular Matrix Hydrogel: Potential Therapy for Ulcerative Colitis

Restoring Mucosal Barrier Function and Modifying Macrophage Phenotype with an Extracellular Matrix Hydrogel: Potential Therapy for Ulcerative Colitis

Fecal microbiota transplantation to fight Clostridium difficile infections and other intestinal diseases

Long‐term microbiota and virome in a Zürich patient after fecal transplantation against Clostridium difficile infection

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