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Changes to human faecal microbiota after international travel
Christian Kampmann1, Johan Dicksved2, Lars Engstrand3
1Clinical Microbiology, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
International travel did not alter overall gut microbiota diversity in healthy adults. However, levels of potentially harmful Enterobacteriaceae increased, while beneficial Christensenellaceae decreased temporarily post-trip.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Human Health
- Travel Medicine
Background:
- Investigating the impact of travel to less-resourced destinations on gut microbiota composition.
- Assessing changes in generally healthy adult travelers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if international travel influences the composition of faecal microbiota.
- To identify specific bacterial taxa affected by travel.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study of 47 adults traveling for 1-12 weeks.
- Analysis of five faecal samples per subject using 16S amplicon sequencing.
- Exclusion of participants who took antibiotics within three months of sampling.
Main Results:
- Overall faecal microbiota composition remained unchanged post-travel.
- A 10-fold increase in Enterobacteriaceae and a significant decrease in Christensenellaceae were observed immediately after travel.
- These microbial shifts were reversible within nine weeks.
Conclusions:
- International travel does not alter overall gut microbiota diversity in healthy adults.
- Transient but significant changes in specific bacterial groups (Enterobacteriaceae, Christensenellaceae) occur post-travel.
- These travel-associated microbial alterations are temporary and reversible.
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