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Updated: Jun 14, 2026
11:22
Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
Published on: October 15, 2019
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Gut Microbiota as a Potential Predictive Biomarker in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
Vicente Navarro-López1,2,3, María Ángeles Méndez-Miralles1,2,4, Rosa Vela-Yebra4
1Ph.D. Program in Health Sciences, Campus de los Jerónimos 135, UCAM-Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia, 30107 Murcia, Spain.
Genes
|May 28, 2022
Summary
Gut microbiota differs in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Specific bacterial genera may serve as predictive factors for MS diagnosis and prognosis, indicating gut dysbiosis in MS.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Neurology
- Gut microbiota analysis
Background:
- The gut microbiome's influence on neurological diseases is under investigation.
- Alterations in gut microbiota composition are observed in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.
- The specific role of this gut dysbiosis in MS remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze and compare the gut microbiota composition of patients with active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) against diet-matched healthy controls.
- To identify specific microbial genera that differ between RRMS patients and healthy individuals.
Main Methods:
- High-throughput sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene (V3 and V4 regions) was employed to determine gut microbiota composition.
- 15 active RRMS patients and healthy controls were included in the analysis.
- Logistic regression and ROC analysis were used to assess the predictive value of identified genera.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in gut microbiota composition were found between RRMS patients and healthy controls.
- Specific genera, including *Lachnospiraceae*, *Ezakiella*, *Ruminococcaceae*, *Hungatella*, *Roseburia*, *Clostridium*, *Shuttleworthia*, *Poephyromonas*, and *Bilophila*, showed altered levels in RRMS patients.
- *Ezakiella* (AUC 75.0) and *Bilophila* (AUC 70.2) demonstrated potential as predictive factors.
Conclusions:
- A distinct gut dysbiosis is present in patients with RRMS.
- Certain gut microbial genera show potential as predictive biomarkers for RRMS diagnosis and prognosis.
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