PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Ruminococcus”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

Ethanol production from cellulosic materials by genetically engineered Zymomonas mobilis.

To confer the ability to ferment cello-oligosaccharides on the ethanol-producing bacterium, Zymomonas mobilis, the beta-glucosidase gene from Ruminococcus albus, tagged at its N-terminal with the 53-amino acid Tat signal peptide from the periplasmic enzyme glucose-fructose oxidoreductase from Z. mobilis, was introduced into the strain. The tag enabled 61% of the beta-glucosidase activity to be transported through the cytoplasmic membrane of the recombinant strain which then produced 0.49 g ethanol/g cellobiose.

Cellobiose↗

Interaction between H2-producing and non-H2-producing cellulolytic bacteria from the human colon.

The cellulose-degrading species recently isolated from the human colon showed diverse ability to degrade and ferment cellulose. In the present study, the nature of the inter-relation existing between one H(2)-producing cellulolytic isolate (Ruminococcus sp. nov.) and one non-H(2)-producing cellulose-degrading species (Bacteroides sp. nov.) was investigated in vitro. Coculture experiments revealed synergism in cellulose degradation between these two cellulolytic species. An increase in total bacterial population was measured in the coculture, Bacteroides sp. being the predominant organism. As a result, a large decrease in H(2) production from cellulose fermentation was observed. Predominance of Bacteroides sp. might thus contribute to limit gas produced from fibre fermentation in the gut.

Anaerobiosis↗

Ethanol production from cellobiose by Zymobacter palmae carrying the Ruminocuccus albus beta-glucosidase gene.

Its metabolic characteristics suggest Zymobacter palmae gen. nov., sp. nov. could serve as a useful new ethanol-fermenting bacterium, but its biotechnological exploitation would require certain genetic improvements. We therefore established a method for transforming Z. palmae using the broad-host vector plasmids pRK290, pMFY31 and pMFY40 as a source of transforming DNA. Using electroporation, the frequency of transformation was 10(5) to 10(6) transformants/mug of DNA. To confer the ability to ferment cellobiose, which is a hydrolysis product from cellulosic materials treated enzymatically or with acid, the beta-glucosidase gene from Ruminococcus albus was introduced into Z. palmae, where its expression was driven by its endogenous promoter. About 56% of the enzyme expressed was localized on the cell-surface or in the periplasm. The recombinant Z. palmae could ferment 2% cellobiose to ethanol, producing 95% of the theoretical yield with no accumulation of organic acids as metabolic by-products. Thus, expression of beta-glucosidase in Z. palmae expanded the substrate spectrum of the strain, enabling ethanol production from cellulosic materials.

Cellobiose↗

Variation in antimicrobial action of proanthocyanidins from Dorycnium rectum against rumen bacteria.

The proanthocyanidin polymer fractions of the leaves of the forage legume Dorycnium rectum were analysed by acid catalysis with benzyl mercaptan, NMR and ES-MS. The results showed that D. rectum differs from other temperate proanthocyanidin-containing forage legumes in that the range of polymers extends up to very high degrees of polymerisation. Three fractions were characterised as low, medium, and high molecular weight proanthocyanidin fractions with mean degree of polymerisations of 10.3, 41 and 127, respectively. Epigallocatechin was the most abundant extension unit and the terminating flavan-3-ols comprised largely catechin and gallocatechin units in equal proportions. Formation of thiolyated dimer products showed the interflavan-linkages of the lower molecular weight proanthocyanidins to be predominantly C4-->C8 with a small amount of C4-->C6. ES-MS spectra distinguished lower from higher polymeric proanthocyanidins from M2- to M8(2)-. The antibacterial activity of proanthocyanidin fractions against pure cultures of microbes selected from the ruminal population to represent fibre degrading, proteolytic and hyper ammonia producing bacteria in broth culture was evaluated. The activity of proanthocyanidin fractions against Clostridium aminophilum, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens and Clostridium proteoclasticum was significantly dependent on their structure but not so against Ruminococcus albus and Peptostreptococcus anaerobius. The latter observation was unique in that they were sensitive to all proanthocyanidin fractions evaluated, even at the lowest concentration (100 microg/ml). The results suggest the effects of the extractable proanthocyanidins on rumen microbes should be considered when evaluating an alternative proanthocyanidin-containing forage source for ruminants, such as D. rectum.

Animals↗

A comparative study between an endoglucanase IV and its fused protein complex Cel5-CBM6.

The recombinant endoglucanase IV (Cel5; encoded by egIV) of Ruminococcus albus was compared with protein Cel5-CBM6 comprised of Cel5 fused at the C-terminus with the single-cellulose binding domain II (CBM6) of Clostridium stercorarium xylanase A, in order to improve its binding ability. Previous analyses using ball-milled cellulose had suggested that a cellulose binding domain of xylanase A could enhance cellulase activity, especially with insoluble substrates. Comparison of the catalytic activities of Cel5 and Cel5-CBM6 were determined using carboxymethylcellulose, Avicel, and filter paper as substrates. This study confirmed previous findings, and provided further evidence suggesting that Cel5-CBM6 exhibits enhanced activity with insoluble cellulose compared to native Cel5. However, its hydrolytic activity with soluble substrates such as carboxymethylcellulose was comparable to Cel5. For both cellulases, central linkages of cellulooligosaccharides (up to six glucose residues) were found to be the preferred points of cleavage. The rates of hydrolysis with both cellulases increased with cellulooligosaccharide chain length, and at least three consecutive glycosyl residues seemed to be necessary for hydrolysis to occur. Cel5-CBM6 showed a higher affinity for cellulose substrates than did Cel5, as demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy. Taken together, these results suggest that CBM6 increases the affinity of Cel5 for insoluble substrates, and this increased binding capacity seems to result in increased catalytic activity.

Binding Sites↗

Phylogenetic analysis of the microbial populations in the wild herbivore gastrointestinal tract: insights into an unexplored niche.

At present, there is little information on the phylogenetic diversity of microbial species that inhabit the gastrointestinal tracts of wildlife. To increase understanding in this area, we initiated a characterization of the bacterial diversity in the digestive tracts of three wild African ruminant species namely eland (Taurotragus oryx), Thompson's gazelle (Gazella rufifrons) and Grant's gazelle (Gazella granti), together with a domesticated ruminant species, zebu cattle (Bos indicus), and a non-ruminant species, zebra (Equus quagga). Bacterial diversity was analysed by PCR amplification, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences. A total of 252 full-length 16S rDNA sequences averaging 1,500 base pairs (bp) in length, and an additional 27 partial sequences were obtained and subject to phylogenetic analysis. Using a 98% criterion for similarity, all except for one of the sequences were derived from distinct phylotypes. At least 24 distinct operational taxonomic units (OTU's) could be identified, with the majority of these sequences representing hitherto uncharacterized species and genera. The sequences were generally affiliated with four major bacterial phyla, the majority being members of the Firmicutes (low G+C Gram-positives) related to the genera Clostridium and Ruminococcus. By contrast, with earlier studies using 16S rDNA sequences to assess biodiversity in Bos taurus dairy cattle, Gram-negative bacteria in the Bacteroidales (Prevotella-Bacteroides group) were poorly represented. The lack of redundancy in the 16S rDNA dataset from the five African ungulate species, and the presence of novel sequences not previously described from the gastrointestinal tract of any animal species, highlights the level of diversity that exists in these ecosystems and raises the question as to the functional role of these species in the gastrointestinal tract.

Animals↗

Use of community genome arrays (CGAs) to assess the effects of Acacia angustissima on rumen ecology.

This research developed a community genome array (CGA) to assess the effects of Acacia angustissima on rumen microbiology. A. angustissima produces non-protein amino acids as well as tannins, which may be toxic to animals, and CGA was used to assess the effects of this plant on the ecology of the rumen. CGAs were developed using a 7.5 cmx2.5 cm nylon membrane format that included up to 96 bacterial genomes. It was possible to separately hybridize large numbers of membranes at once using this mini-membrane format. Pair-wise cross-hybridization experiments were conducted to determine the degree of cross-hybridization between strains; cross-hybridization occurred between strains of the same species, but little cross-reactivity was observed among different species. CGAs were successfully used to survey the microbial communities of animals consuming an A. angustissima containing diet but quantification was not precise. To properly quantify and validate the CGA, Fibrobacter and Ruminococcus populations were independently assessed using 16S rDNA probes to extracted rRNA. The CGA detected an increase in these populations as acacia increased in the diet, which was confirmed by rRNA analysis. There was a great deal of variation among strains of the same species in how they responded to A. angustissima. However, in general Selenomonas strains tended to be resistant to the tannins in the acacia while Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens was sensitive. On the other hand some species, like streptococci, varied. Streptococcus bovis-like strains were sensitive to an increase in acacia in the diet while Streptococcus gallolyticus-like strains were resistant. Strep. gallolyticus has independently been shown to be resistant to tannins. It is concluded that there is significant variation in tannin resistance between strains of the same species. This implies that there are specific molecular mechanisms at play that are independent of the phylogenetic position of the organism.

Acacia↗

Novel microbial diversity adherent to plant biomass in the herbivore gastrointestinal tract, as revealed by ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis and rrs gene sequencing.

It is well recognized that a dynamic biofilm develops upon plant biomass in the herbivore gastrointestinal tract, but this component of the microbiome has not previously been specifically sampled, or directly compared with the biodiversity present in the planktonic fraction of digesta. In this study, the digesta collected from four sheep fed two different diets was separated into three fractions: the planktonic phase, and the microbial populations either weakly or tightly adherent to plant biomass. The community DNA prepared from each fraction was then subjected to both ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (RISA) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Both types of analysis showed that dietary factors influence community structure, and that the adherent fractions produced more complex profiles. The RIS-clone libraries prepared from the planktonic and adherent populations were then subjected to restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and DNA sequence analyses, which resulted in a far greater degree of discrimination among the fractions. Although many of the sequenced clones from the adherent populations were assigned to various clusters within the low G+C Gram-positive bacteria, the clone libraries from animals consuming an all-grass diet were largely comprised of novel lineages of Clostridium, while in animals consuming the starch-containing diet, Selenomonas and Ruminococcus spp. were the dominant low G+C Gram-positive bacteria. Additionally, the libraries from hay-fed animals also contained clones most similar to asaccharolytic Clostridia, and other Gram-positive bacteria that specialize in the transformation of plant phenolic compounds and the formation of cinnamic, phenylacetic and phenylpropionic acids. These results reveal, for the first time, the phylogeny of adherent subpopulations that specialize in the transformation of plant lignins and other secondary compounds, which potentiate polysaccharide hydrolysis by other members of the biofilm.

Animals↗

16S rRNA gene-based analysis of mucosa-associated bacterial community and phylogeny in the chicken gastrointestinal tracts: from crops to ceca.

Mucosa-associated microbiota from different regions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of adult broilers was studied by analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences. The microbiota mainly comprised Gram-positive bacteria along the GI tract. Fifty-one operational taxonomic units (OTUs) (from 98 clones) were detected in the ceca, as compared with 13 OTUs (from 49 clones) in the crops, 11 OTUs (from 51 clones) in the gizzard, 14 OTUs (from 52 clones) in the duodenum, 12 OTUs (from 50 clones) in the jejunum and nine OTUs (from 50 clones) in the ileum. Ceca were dominantly occupied by clostridia-related sequences (40%) with other abundant sequences being related to Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (14%), Escherichia coli (11%), lactobacilli (7%) and Ruminococcus (6%). Lactobacilli were predominant in the upper GI tract and had the highest diversity in the crop. Both Lactobacillus aviarius and Lactobacillus salivarius were the predominant species among lactobacilli. Candidatus division Arthromitus was also abundant in the jejunum and ileum.

Animals↗

H2 and acetate transfers during xylan fermentation between a butyrate-producing xylanolytic species and hydrogenotrophic microorganisms from the human gut.

The aim of this work was to investigate in vitro interrelationships during xylan fermentation between an H2 and butyrate-producing xylanolytic species recently isolated in our laboratory from human faeces and identified as Roseburia intestinalis and the H2-utilizing acetogen Ruminococcus hydrogenotrophicus or the methanogen Methanobrevibacter smithii. H2 transfer between M. smithii or Ru. hydrogenotrophicus and the xylanolytic species was evidenced, confirming the great potential of these H2-consuming microorganisms to reutilize fermentative H2 during fibre fermentation in the gut. In addition, acetate transfer was demonstrated between the xylanolytic Roseburia sp. and the acetogenic species, both metabolites transfers leading to butyric fermentation of oat xylan without production of H2.

Acetates↗

Localization of ruminal cellulolytic bacteria on plant fibrous materials as determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization and real-time PCR.

To visualize and localize specific bacteria associated with plant materials, a new fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) protocol was established. By using this protocol, we successfully minimized the autofluorescence of orchard grass hay and detected rumen bacteria attached to the hay under a fluorescence microscope. Real-time PCR assays were also employed to quantitatively monitor the representative fibrolytic species Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus flavefaciens and also total bacteria attached to the hay. F. succinogenes was found firmly attached to not only the cut edges but also undamaged inner surfaces of the hay. Cells of phylogenetic group 1 of F. succinogenes were detected on many stem and leaf sheath fragments of the hay, even on fragments on which few other bacteria were seen. Cells of phylogenetic group 2 of F. succinogenes were often detected on hay fragments coexisting with many other bacteria. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene copy number analysis, the numbers of bacteria attached to the leaf sheaths were higher than those attached to the stems (P<0.05). In addition, R. flavefaciens had a greater tendency than F. succinogenes to be found on the leaf sheath (P<0.01) with formation of many pits. F. succinogenes, particularly phylogenetic group 1, is suggested to possibly play an important role in fiber digestion, because it is clearly detectable by FISH and is the bacterium with the largest population size in the less easily degradable hay stem.

Animals↗

Studies on the metabolic function of branched-chain volatile fatty acids, growth factors for ruminococci. I. Incorporation of isovalerate into leucine.

Allison, Milton J. (Dairy Cattle Research Branch, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Md.), M. P. Bryant, and R. N. Doetsch. Studies on the metabolic function of branched-chain volatile fatty acids, growth factors for ruminococci. I. Incorporation of isovalerate into leucine. J. Bacteriol. 83:523-532. 1962.-Ruminococcus flavefaciens strain C94, a cellulolytic rumen bacterium, requires either isobutyrate or isovalerate for growth. The organism was grown in the presence of C(14)-labeled isovalerate, and the metabolic fate of the labeled carbon was studied to obtain information on the functions of this growth factor. Radioactivity from isovalerate-1-C(14) and isovalerate-3-C(14) was found mainly in the protein and lipid fractions of the cells. The C(14) in protein was all in leucine, indicating that a function of isovalerate was to serve as a carbon skeleton for leucine synthesis. As C(14) in leucine synthesized from isovalerate-1-C(14) was entirely in carbon 2, the intact isovalerate molecule was apparently incorporated into leucine. This is evidence that leucine was synthesized by a mechanism different from that previously demonstrated in other microorganisms.R. flavefaciens has a definite but limited ability to incorporate exogenous amino acids, including leucine. It incorporated 2% of the C(14) during growth in uniformly labeled (UL) C(14)-Chlorella protein hydrolyzate; Escherichia coli incorporated 37% of the label under similar conditions. In another experiment, a limited amount of exogenous leucine-2-C(14) was incorporated into protein of R. flavefaciens. The requirement for isovalerate was not replaced by dl-leucine or 2-ketoisocaproate. It is suggested that isovalerate or isobutyrate is required because R. flavefaciens has a limited ability to incorporate exogenous branched-chain amino acids and a limited ability to synthesize the isopropyl group found in these amino acids and in other components of the cell.

Amino Acids↗

Metabolic function of branched-chain volatile fatty acids, growth factors for ruminococci. II. Biosynthesis of higher branched-chain fatty acids and aldehydes.

Allison, M. J. (Dairy Cattle Research Branch, USDA, Beltsville, Md.), M. P. Bryant, I. Katz, and M. Keeney. Metabolic function of branched-chain volatile fatty acids, growth factors for ruminococci. II. Biosynthesis of higher branched-chain fatty acids and aldehydes. J. Bacteriol. 83:1084-1093. 1962.-A number of strains of rumen bacteria require branched-chain volatile fatty acids for growth. A strain of Ruminococcus flavefaciens that requires either isovalerate or isobutyrate incorporates radioactive carbon from isovalerate-1-C(14) and isovalerate-3-C(14) into leucine and into the lipid fraction of the cells. Evidence obtained by both paper and gas chromatography indicated that most of the label in the lipid of cells grown in isovalerate-1-C(14) was in a branched-chain 15-carbon fatty acid, with some in a 17-carbon acid; about 7.5% of the C(14) was recovered in a branched-chain 15-carbon aldehyde. The aldehydes were in the phospholipid fraction and were presumably present as plasmalogen.A strain of R. albus was shown to require isobutyrate, 2-methyl-n-butyrate, or 2-ketoisovalerate for growth. This strain did not incorporate appreciable C(14) from isovalerate-1-C(14) or isovalerate-3-C(14). When grown in a medium containing isobutyrate-1-C(14), most of the cellular C(14) was found in the lipid fraction. Analysis of the lipid demonstrated that the label was present mainly as branched-chain 14-carbon and 16-carbon fatty acids, with 11% of the C(14) present in 14- and 16-carbon carbonyl compounds, presumably branched-chain aldehydes.Branched-chain 14-, 15-, and 16-carbon fatty acids are major components of the lipids of these rumen bacteria. The possibility that these acids and aldehydes, which are found in ruminant body and milk lipids, may be of microbial origin is discussed.

Aldehydes↗

VITAMIN REQUIREMENTS OF SEVERAL CELLULOLYTIC RUMEN BACTERIA.

Scott, H. W. (Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station, Wooster), and B. A. Dehority. Vitamin requirements of several cellulolytic rumen bacteria. J. Bacteriol. 89:1169-1175. 1965.-Four strains of cellulolytic bacteria recently isolated from in vitro rumen fermentations were used in this study. Nine water-soluble vitamins were tested in single-deletion and single-addition plus biotin experiments, each with and without charcoal-extracted casein hydrolysate. Bacteroides succinogenes A3C and B21a required only biotin under the above experimental conditions. Ruminococcus flavefaciens B34b showed an absolute requirement for biotin and was stimulated by p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) in the single-deletion experiments. In the single-addition plus biotin experiments, PABA and, to a lesser extent, vitamin B(12) appeared to be required for maximal growth. The presence or absence of casein hydrolysate did not affect the vitamin requirements for the aforementioned three strains. In the single-deletion experiments, R. flavefaciens Cla showed an absolute requirement for biotin and, when casein hydrolysate was omitted, for B(12). When casein hydrolysate was present, no requirement for B(12) could be observed. In the single-addition experiments where the basal medium contained biotin and casein hydrolysate or B(12), PABA was required for maximal growth; however, the single deletion of PABA caused only slight retardation of growth. Investigation of the B(12) or casein hydrolysate requirement of Cla revealed that a mixture of purified amino acids simulating casein hydrolysate satisfied this requirement. Subsequent work indicated that this requirement could be satisfied by the amino acid methionine.

4-Aminobenzoic Acid↗

Maternal contact and age-dependent succession influence the assembly of the calf rumen microbiome and virome.

Early-life colonization of the rumen is particularly important; however, the processes by which microbial and viral communities are transmitted and developed remain poorly understood. Here, we present a genome-resolved investigation of the effects of maternal contact and age-dependent succession on the calf rumen microbiome and DNA virome by comparing calves raised with or without maternal contact across early life using the metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) and viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs) reconstructed from whole- and virus-like particle metagenomes. Across longitudinal samples from calves and their mothers, we identified 694 MAGs and 30,479 vOTUs, substantially expanding current genome databases and revealing extensive microbial and viral novelty. Our analyses demonstrated that both prokaryotes and DNA viruses are shared between dams and calves, with greater sharing observed in calves raised with maternal contact than in calves raised without maternal contact. Notably, viral sharing between cow-calf pairs was markedly lower compared to prokaryotes, suggesting high turnover and rapid viral diversification. Age-associated analyses further revealed coordinated shifts in prokaryotes and their viruses, with dominant genera such as Prevotella, Ruminococcus, and Fibrobacter, and their corresponding viruses increasing after day 40. These findings indicate that the early-life rumen microbiome and DNA virome undergo substantial age-dependent succession and are associated with maternal contact, providing new insights into host-microbe-virus interactions during rumen development.IMPORTANCEThis study provides one of the first genome-resolved views of DNA viral community development during early rumen colonization in calves (from 1 week to 70 days of age) and reveals how maternal contact and age influence the establishment of the calf rumen microbiome and virome. By analyzing longitudinal samples from calves raised with or without their mothers, we show that prokaryotes and their viruses undergo coordinated, age-dependent succession. Our results demonstrate that maternal separation alters the assembly of the calf rumen microbiome, highlighting the influence of maternal contact during early-life rumen development. These findings underscore the high plasticity of the early-life rumen ecosystem and suggest that early management practices, such as maternal separation, can have lasting effects on rumen development. This work provides fundamental insights into the establishment and succession of the calf rumen microbiome and DNA virome during early life and may contribute to future microbiome manipulation studies.

Animals↗

Engineering yeast for efficient cellulose degradation.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae produces several beta-1,3-glucanases, but lacks the multicomponent cellulase complexes that hydrolyse the beta-1,4-linked glucose polymers present in cellulose-rich biomass as well as in haze-forming glucans in certain wines and beers. We have introduced into S. cerevisiae a functional cellulase complex for efficient cellulose degradation by cloning the Endomyces fibuliger cellobiase (BGL1) gene and co-expressing it with the Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens endo-beta-1,4-glucanase (END1), the Phanerochaete chrysosporium cellobiohydrolase (CBH1) and the Ruminococcus flavefacies cellodextrinase (CEL1) gene constructs in this yeast. The END1, CBH1 and CEL1 genes were inserted into yeast expression/secretion cassettes. Expression of END1, CBH1 and CEL1 was directed by the promoter sequences derived from the alcohol dehydrogenase II (ADH2), the phosphoglycerate kinase I (PKG1) and the alcohol dehydrogenase I (ADH1) genes, respectively. In contrast, BGL1 was expressed under the control of its native promoter. Secretion of End1p and Cel1p was directed by the signal sequence of the yeast mating pheromone alpha-factor (MF alpha 1), whereas Cbh1p and Bgl1p were secreted using their authentic leader peptides. The construction of a fur1 ura3 S. cerevisiae strain allowed for the autoselection of this multicopy URA3-based plasmid in rich medium. S. cerevisiae transformants secreting biologically active endo-beta-1,4-glucanase, cellobiohydrolase, cellodextrinase and cellobiase were able to degrade various substrates including carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, laminarin, barley glucan, cellobiose, polypectate, birchwood xylan and methyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside. This study could lead to the development of industrial strains of S. cerevisiae capable of converting cellulose in a one-step process into commercially important commodities.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Molecular analyses of the intestinal microbiota of chimpanzees in the wild and in captivity.

Little information is available regarding the intestinal bacteria of chimpanzees in the wild, due to the technical difficulties of studying intestinal bacteria in the field. In this study, molecular-based bacterial analyses were performed to overcome this difficulty because polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods, such as temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE) and amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA), of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene can be applied to ethanol-fixed fecal samples. The common presence of bacteria belonging to the Clostridium rRNA sub-group XIVa, such as Ruminococcus obeum and Eubacterium sp., was indicated for Bossou wild chimpanzees by ARDRA. TGGE on partial 16S rDNA followed by hierarchical clustering analysis showed a systematic difference in the composition of intestinal microbiota between wild and captive chimpanzees. However, several TGGE bands commonly shared by wild and captured chimpanzees were excised, and their sequences were obtained. They were suggested to be the Clostridium leptum subgroup bacteria, Lactobacillus gasseri-like bacterium, and Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum- or B. catenulatum-like bacterium. These may be considered as common intestinal bacteria for chimpanzees, and may be transmitted vertically over generations.

Animals↗

Admission Gut and Plasma-Derived Signatures Associated With Severity and 90-day Outcome in Hepatitis A-Related and Drug-Induced Acute Liver Failure.

Acute liver failure (ALF) due to hepatitis A (ALF-A) has high mortality, but admission-day markers associated with disease severity and outcome are unknown. We aimed to define gut microbiome and plasma multi-omics signatures associated with severity and 90-day outcomes in ALF-A, compared to drug-induced ALF (ALF-D) as non-viral ALF group. ALF patients (aged 26&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;9&#x2009;years; 50.7% male, 49.3% female) with IgM HAV positive (ALF-A, n&#x2009;=&#x2009;33), ALF-D (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;38) were recruited along with acute viral hepatitis (AVH-A, n&#x2009;=&#x2009;27) and healthy subjects (HC, n&#x2009;=&#x2009;20). Stool bacteria profiling was done at D0; plasma cytokines, metabolites and barrier markers were analysed at D0, 3, 5, 7. Correlations with clinical severity parameters were assessed. Associations with 90-day mortality were assessed using severity-adjusted association analyses. ALF-A patients were more severe at the time of admission than ALF-D. In ALF-A, 90-day mortality was 33% versus 18.4% with increased severity scores like KCH 21% versus 10.5%, SOFA score 7.97&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;2.89 versus 5.87&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;2.32, SIRS 60.6% versus 18.4%, mechanical ventilation 39% versus 21%. At D0, ALF-A was enriched for lactate/ammonia/bile salt hydrolase/histamine-producing pathobionts like Enterococcus, Ruminococcus gnavus, Flavonifractor, Thomasclavelia correlating positively with severity (|r|&#x2009;>&#x2009;0.4, p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05) showing higher baseline abundance in ALF-A non-survivors (NS). At D0 in ALF-A, histamine accumulation, reduced tryptophan, butyrate metabolism inversely correlated with severity and worsened in ALF-A_NS by D7. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, IFABP2 were elevated at Day 0 in ALF-A, correlated positively with severity, and remained increased through Day 7 in ALF-A_NS. In contrast, ALF-D_NS retained commensals, showed increased fatty acid, bile acid biosynthesis with low levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In ALF-A, gut and plasma integrated multi-omics features were associated with disease severity, 90-day outcomes and identified candidate biomarkers for future validation.

Humans↗