Small Intestinal Microbial Dysbiosis Underlies Symptoms Associated with Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Overview

Journal Nat Commun

Specialty Biology

Date 2019 May 3

PMID 31043597

Citations 108

Authors

George B Saffouri

Robin R Shields-Cutler

Jun Chen

Yi Yang

Heather R Lekatz

Vanessa L Hale

Janice M Cho

Eric J Battaglioli

Yogesh Bhattarai

Kevin J Thompson

Krishna K Kalari

Gaurav Behera

Jonathan C Berry

Stephanie A Peters

Robin Patel

Audrey N Schuetz

Jeremiah J Faith

Michael Camilleri

Justin L Sonnenburg

Gianrico Farrugia

Jonathan R Swann

Madhusudan Grover

Dan Knights

Purna C Kashyap

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) has been implicated in symptoms associated with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), though mechanisms remain poorly defined and treatment involves non-specific antibiotics. Here we show that SIBO based on duodenal aspirate culture reflects an overgrowth of anaerobes, does not correspond with patient symptoms, and may be a result of dietary preferences. Small intestinal microbial composition, on the other hand, is significantly altered in symptomatic patients and does not correspond with aspirate culture results. In a pilot interventional study we found that switching from a high fiber diet to a low fiber, high simple sugar diet triggered FGID-related symptoms and decreased small intestinal microbial diversity while increasing small intestinal permeability. Our findings demonstrate that characterizing small intestinal microbiomes in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms may allow a more targeted antibacterial or a diet-based approach to treatment.

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