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Updated: Jun 18, 2025

Applying Advanced In Vitro Culturing Technology to Study the Human Gut Microbiota
Published on: February 15, 2019
Human gut microbiota composition associated with international travels
D Henares1, V Monsalvez2, Pedro Brotons3
1Department of RDI Microbiology, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 08950, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Center for Epidemiology (CIBER) and Public Health, Carlos III Health Institute (CIBERESP, ISCIII), Avenida Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
Objective:
The objective of this study was to evaluate whether long stays in non-European countries influence the composition, diversity, and dynamics of gut microbiota, considering the potential impact of travelling, close contact with new people, and consumption of water and food.
Methods:
Two prospective cohorts were analyzed: (i) A longitudinal cohort comprising long-term travellers who provided fecal samples before and after their travels. (ii) A cohort consisting of long-term travellers and recently arrived migrants from non-European countries, which was compared with non-traveller controls. Each participant self-collected fecal samples and provided demographic and epidemiological data. Microbiota was characterized through 16 S rRNA gene sequencing.
Results:
The longitudinal cohort comprised 17 subjects. A trend toward higher bacterial diversity was observed after travelling (Shannon index 3.12vs3.26). When comparing 84 travellers/migrants with 97 non-travellers, a confirmed association of higher diversity levels with travelling was observed (Phylogenetic diversity: 22.1vs20.9). Specific genera enriched in travellers' gut microbiota were identified, including Escherichia/Shigella, Bacteroides, and Parabacteroides. The analysis revealed three major clusters with profound differences in their bacterial composition, which exhibited differential distribution between travellers and non-travellers (Adonis P < 0.001; R2 = 30.6 %). Two clusters were more frequently observed in travellers: The first cluster, characterized by dominance of Escherichia/Shigella, exhibited the lowest levels of richness and diversity. The second cluster, dominated by Faecalibacterium and Bacteroides, displayed the highest richness and diversity patterns.
Conclusion:
These findings highlight the diverse impact of international travel on gut microbiota composition and underscore the importance of considering microbiota resilience and diversity in understanding the health implications.
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