Gut Microbiota and Metabolite Changes in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis and Clostridioides difficile Infection

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Microbiome Research
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Ulcerative colitis (UC) patients face increased risk of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI).
• Gut microbial and metabolic profiles in UC patients with CDI are understudied.
• CDI is hypothesized to significantly alter the gut microbiota and metabolome in UC patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of CDI on the gut microbial structure and metabolites in patients with UC.
• To compare the gut microbiota and metabolite profiles of healthy controls, UC patients, and UC patients with CDI.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 89 participants (30 healthy controls, 29 UC alone, 30 UC with CDI).
• Stool sample analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
• Exclusion of participants with recent antibiotic exposure.

Main Results:

• UC patients showed reduced gut microbial diversity and increased Proteobacteria compared to healthy controls.
• UC patients with CDI had altered abundances of specific bacterial genera (e.g., increased Clostridium sensu stricto, Haemophilus; decreased Clostridium XIVb).
• CDI in UC patients was associated with elevated levels of specific metabolites including putrescine and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, which correlated with altered bacterial genera.

Conclusions:

• Identified 11 differential bacterial genera and 16 perturbed metabolites in UC patients with CDI.
• Findings highlight significant microbial and metabolic shifts in UC patients co-infected with CDI.
• Results may guide research into mechanisms and targeted therapies for CDI in UC.