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Updated: Jul 29, 2025

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
Published on: October 15, 2019
Characterization of gut microbiota in adults with coronary atherosclerosis
Yu Dong1,2, Rui Xu1,2, Xiaowei Chen1,2
1Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.
Background:
Cardiovascular disease, which is mainly caused by coronary atherosclerosis, is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Gut microbiota likely play an important role in coronary atherosclerosis. This study aims to investigate the microbiota profile of adults with coronary atherosclerosis to provide a theoretical basis for future research.
Methods:
Fecal samples were collected from 35 adult patients diagnosed with coronary atherosclerosis and 32 healthy adults in Nanjing, China, and the V3-V4 region of 16S rDNA genes was sequenced using high-throughput sequencing. Differences in alpha diversity, beta diversity, and gut microbiota composition between the two groups were then compared.
Results:
A beta diversity analysis revealed significant differences between adults with coronary atherosclerosis and controls, but there was no statistical difference in alpha diversity between the two groups. There were also differences in the composition of the gut microbiota between the two groups. The genera, Megamonas, Streptococcus, Veillonella, Ruminococcus_torques_group, Prevotella_2, Tyzzerella_4, were identified as potential biomarkers for coronary atherosclerosis.
Conclusion:
There are some differences in the gut microbiota of adults with coronary atherosclerosis compared to healthy adults. The insights from this study could be used to explore microbiome-based mechanisms for coronary atherosclerosis.
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