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Updated: Sep 8, 2025
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Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
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Decoding the Gut Microbiota in Multiple Sclerosis Using Nanopore Long-Read Sequencing: Insights into Disease Severity
Ameera Saeed Alshinnawy1, Elham A Badiea1, Mahmoud Saad Swelam2
1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, 11566, Egypt.
Molecular Neurobiology
|July 18, 2025
Summary
Gut bacteria differ in Egyptian multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, with distinct profiles in progressive MS linked to inflammation and in relapsing MS to immune imbalance. These findings highlight region-specific microbial shifts impacting MS progression.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic CNS autoimmune disease involving neuroinflammation and degeneration.
- Gut microbiota dysbiosis is increasingly linked to immune dysregulation and MS progression.
- Region-specific studies are crucial due to genetic and environmental influences on MS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gut microbiota alterations in Egyptian MS patients.
- To identify microbial signatures associated with disease progression in an understudied population.
- To explore potential therapeutic targets based on region-specific microbial shifts.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of fecal samples from 33 newly diagnosed MS patients (20 RRM, 13 PMS) and 10 healthy controls.
- Full 16S rRNA gene sequencing using Oxford Nanopore technology.
- Comparative analysis of gut microbiome composition and functional pathways.
Main Results:
- MS patients showed increased microbial richness but reduced evenness compared to controls.
- Progressive MS featured pro-inflammatory bacteria (e.g., Enterococcus faecium) and depleted SCFA producers (e.g., Ruminococcus bromii).
- Relapsing MS showed increased Clostridium saudiense and decreased Faecalibacterium butyricigenerans, linked to immune dysregulation and oxidative stress.
Conclusions:
- Gut microbiota dysbiosis plays a significant role in MS pathogenesis.
- Distinct microbial profiles in Egyptian MS patients highlight region-specific variations.
- Findings suggest potential for targeted microbiome-based therapies for different MS forms.
