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Updated: Apr 23, 2026
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Murine Ileocolic Bowel Resection with Primary Anastomosis
Published on: October 29, 2014
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Intestinal anastomotic injury alters spatially defined microbiome composition and function
Benjamin D Shogan1, Daniel P Smith2, Scott Christley1
1Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
Microbiome
|September 25, 2014
Summary
Intestinal bacteria, particularly Enterococcus and Escherichia/Shigella, significantly change at surgical reconnection sites. These microbial shifts in anastomotic tissues may influence healing after intestinal surgery.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
- Surgical Research
Background:
- Intestinal resection and rejoining (anastomosis) can lead to leakage due to poor healing.
- The role of the gut microbiota in anastomotic healing is suspected but not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the genotypes and functions of the intestinal microbiota at anastomotic sites.
- To investigate changes in luminal versus tissue-associated microbiota following intestinal surgery.
Main Methods:
- 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing was used to analyze microbiota composition.
- Samples were collected from rat colon anastomoses on postoperative days 0 and 6.
- Functional profiling was performed to predict bacterial pathway activities.
Main Results:
- Anastomotic injury significantly altered tissue-associated microbiota, with minimal luminal changes.
- A substantial increase in Enterococcus (500-fold) and Escherichia/Shigella (200-fold) was observed.
- Predicted bacterial functions included virulence pathways like toxin and adhesin production.
Conclusions:
- Compositional and functional shifts in anastomotic tissues were identified.
- These microbial changes may play a role in accelerating or complicating anastomotic healing.
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