Intestinal function and transit associate with gut microbiota dysbiosis in cystic fibrosis

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundMost people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms and are at risk of gut complications. Gut microbiota dysbiosis is apparent within the CF population across all age groups, with evidence linking dysbiosis to intestinal inflammation and other markers of health. This pilot study aimed to investigate the potential relationships between the gut microbiota and gastrointestinal physiology, transit, and health.Study DesignFaecal samples from 10 pwCF and matched controls were subject to 16S rRNA sequencing. Results were combined with clinical metadata and MRI metrics of gut function to investigate relationships.ResultspwCF had significantly reduced microbiota diversity compared to controls. Microbiota compositions were significantly different, suggesting remodelling of core and rarer satellite taxa in CF. Dissimilarity between groups was driven by a variety of taxa, including Escherichia coli, Bacteroides spp., Clostridium spp., and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. The core taxa were explained primarily by CF disease, whilst the satellite taxa were associated with pulmonary antibiotic usage, CF disease, and gut function metrics. Species-specific ordination biplots revealed relationships between taxa and the clinical or MRI-based variables observed.ConclusionsAlterations in gut function and transit resultant of CF disease are associated with the gut microbiota composition, notably the satellite taxa. Delayed transit in the small intestine might allow for the expansion of satellite taxa resulting in potential downstream consequences for core community function in the colon.HighlightsFaecal microbiota significantly differs between pwCF and healthy controlsKey SCFA producers contributed to microbiota dissimilarity between groupsPulmonary antibiotic treatment heavily impacted gut microbiotaIntestinal physiology and transit impacted satellite microbiota composition