Substantial Intestinal Microbiota Differences Between Patients With Ulcerative Colitis From Ghana and Denmark
Hengameh Chloé Mirsepasi-Lauridsen1,2, Katleen Vranckx3, Henrik Vedel Nielsen1
1Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
|April 4, 2022
Summary
This study compared gut bacteria in healthy individuals and ulcerative colitis patients from Ghana and Denmark. Danish participants showed higher prokaryotic diversity, while both healthy groups had more eukaryotes than UC patients.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Gastroenterology
- Comparative analysis
Background:
- Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory colon disease causing bloody diarrhea.
- Intestinal bacterial diversity is crucial for gut health.
- Geographical location may influence gut microbiota composition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in intestinal bacterial diversity between healthy controls and UC patients.
- To compare microbiota in individuals from Ghana and Denmark.
- To assess variations in prokaryotic and eukaryotic species abundance.
Main Methods:
- Sequencing of ribosomal small subunit genes for microbiota analysis.
- PCR amplification targeting prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
- Illumina MiSeq sequencing and BioNumerics analysis for taxonomy.
Main Results:
- Danish healthy controls and Ghanaian healthy controls formed distinct clusters.
- Significant differences in prokaryotic diversity were observed between Danish and Ghanaian groups.
- Increased abundance of Escherichia coli in Ghanaian healthy controls compared to Danish.
- Eukaryotic species were significantly more abundant in healthy controls from both countries versus UC patients.
Conclusions:
- Danish UC patients and healthy controls exhibit higher prokaryotic diversity than their Ghanaian counterparts.
- Healthy individuals from both Denmark and Ghana show greater eukaryotic abundance compared to UC patients.
- Geographical factors significantly impact gut microbial composition and diversity.
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