Fecal samples and rectal swabs adequately reflect the human colonic luminal microbiota

The appropriateness of the fecal microbiota to adequately reflect the gut microbiota composition from more difficult to access luminal content at different colonic locations has been debated. Here, in a healthy population, luminal samples were collected from terminal ileum to rectum using an unique sampling technique without the need of prior bowel cleansing/preparation. Rectal swabs were collected immediately prior colonoscopy by an experienced physician, and fecal samples were collected at home by the participants themselves. Microbiota composition was evaluated as relative abundance, α-diversity and Bray-Curtis dissimilarities. Our data suggest that fecal samples and rectal swabs present noninvasive, easily accessible, low-cost sampling tools that are accurate proxies to characterize luminal large intestinal microbiota composition.