Investigation of the causal relationship between gut microbiota and discitis: A Mendelian randomisation study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Recent studies have identified a possible association between gut microbiota and discitis, but not clarified this relationship. Methods: The aim of this study was to apply Mendelian randomization (MR) techniques in order to fully explore the potential causal relationship between gut microbiota and discitis. In terms of research methods, we adopted a variety of analysis strategies, including inverse variance weighting (IVW), MR-Egger, Weighted Median, etc. In order to ensure the reliability of the research results, we have carefully considered several aspects. In particular, we introduce the false discovery rate (FDR) method to effectively correct for multiple hypothesis testing problems that may arise. In addition, in order to evaluate the validity and robustness of the instrumental variables used, we implemented a series of rigorous analytical measures. These measures include MR-Egger intercept test, global analysis of Mendelian Randomization Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier (MR-PRESSO), heterogeneity analysis, and retention analysis. Notably, we also tested the genetic association of gut microbiota with disdiscitis using Linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) to ensure the rigor of the study. Results: IVW results showed that high abundance of Butyricoccus(OR=0.23, 95% confidence interval(CI): 0.10-0.53, P=6.3E-04), Coprobacter (OR=0.59, 95%CI: 0.36-0.96, P=3.24E-02), or Romboutsia (OR=0.52, 95% CI: 0.28-0.99, P=4.5E-02) could reduce the risk of developing discitis. High abundance of Eubacterium ventriosum (OR=1.92, 95% CI: 1.01-3.67, P=4.77E-02), Haemophilus (OR=1.92, 95% CI: 1.44-4.76, P=1.56E-03), and Intestinimonas (OR=2.03, 95% CI: 1.01- 4.06, P=4.67E-02) were risk factors for discitis. However, after FDR correction, only Butyricicoccus and Haemophilus were found to be associated with discitis. In addition, the horizontal pleiotropy and heterogeneity of instrumental variables were not tested. The LDSC results suggested that the causal inference between gut microbiota and discitis would not be confounded by co-inheritance. Conclusion: The present MR study provides genetic evidence that Butyricicoccus and Haemophilus are causally related to discitis. This study fills in the gaps in the knowledge of the causal relationship between gut microbiota and disdiscitis, and provides innovative suggestions for the prevention and treatment of disdiscitis.