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Updated: Jan 7, 2026

Prospecting Microbial Strains for Bioremediation and Probiotics Development for Metaorganism Research and Preservation
Published on: October 31, 2019
Microbial Ecology of Sulfur Mustard Toxicity: From Dysbiosis to Restoration
Xinkang Zhang1, Guanchao Mao1, Zhipeng Pei1
1Lab of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Naval Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
Abstract:
Sulfur mustard (SM) causes multi-organ toxicity, yet its impact on intestinal tissue and the associated gut microbiota remains poorly characterized. This study demonstrates that in a mouse model of SM exposure, gut microbial ecological collapse occurs, characterized by depletion of protective taxa (Bifidobacteriales, Gordonibacter, and Lachnospiraceae UCG010) while promoting a 302-fold expansion of inflammation-associated Escherichia/Shigella. Mendelian randomization analysis established causal relationships between these SM-perturbed taxa and human inflammatory bowel disease. Fecal microbiota transplantation effectively restored microbial diversity (Simpson index: 0.85 to 0.95), suppressed Escherichia/Shigella by 97.4%, and ameliorated intestinal pathology. Longitudinal tracking revealed persistent vulnerability of Bifidobacteriales compared to other depleted taxa. Our findings establish the gut microbiota as a key mediator in SM intestinal toxicity and provide new insights for microbiota-targeted interventions against chemical injuries.
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