Gut Micro- and Mycobiota in Preeclampsia: Bacterial Composition Differences Suggest Role in Pathophysiology

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Microbiome Research
• Immunology

Background:

• Preeclampsia is a severe pregnancy disorder with unknown causes, characterized by inflammation and oxidative stress.
• Gut microbiome dysbiosis is implicated in inflammatory diseases, but its role in preeclampsia, especially in Scandinavian populations, is understudied.
• The fungal microbiome's potential anti-inflammatory role in preeclampsia has not been investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the bacterial and fungal gut microbiota composition in preeclamptic (PE) versus healthy pregnant women in a Scandinavian population.
• To explore the relationship between gut microbiota, systemic inflammation (calprotectin), and clinical factors like BMI and gestational length in preeclampsia.
• To identify specific microbial taxa associated with the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.

Main Methods:

• Inclusion of 25 preeclamptic and 29 healthy third-trimester pregnant women.
• Simultaneous sequencing of fungal (ITS) and bacterial (16S rRNA) microbiota from gut samples.
• Measurement of serum calprotectin to assess systemic and intestinal inflammation.

Main Results:

• Fungal diversity showed variations related to Body Mass Index (BMI) and gestational length.
• Significant differences in bacterial taxa were observed in preeclampsia, with enriched Bacteroidetes and depleted Verrucomicrobia and Syntergistota at the phylum level.
• The genus Akkermansia was significantly depleted in preeclamptic individuals.

Conclusions:

• Gut microbiome dysbiosis, encompassing both bacterial and fungal alterations, is associated with preeclampsia in this Scandinavian cohort.
• Specific bacterial phyla and genera, such as depleted Akkermansia, may play a role in preeclampsia development.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the functional impact of these microbial changes on preeclampsia pathophysiology.