Estimation of gut microbiome motif associated with active tuberculosis - A case control study

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Public Health

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global health challenge.
• Understanding the factors contributing to active TB is crucial for effective control.
• The gut microbiome's role in various diseases is an emerging area of research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between gut microbiota composition and active TB.
• To determine if specific microbial patterns are indicative of TB presence.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 106 participants was conducted.
• Participants were divided into two groups: 53 with active TB (Group A) and 53 healthy controls (Group B).
• Gut microbiome diversity was assessed using the Shannon diversity index.

Main Results:

• A significant reduction in the Shannon diversity index was observed in individuals with active TB compared to controls (P < 0.001).
• Active TB cases showed substantially decreased overall microbiome abundance.
• Specific gut microbiota motifs were found to be associated with active TB.

Conclusions:

• Gut microbiome alterations, specifically reduced diversity and abundance, are strongly associated with active TB.
• These findings highlight the potential of the gut microbiome as a therapeutic target for TB.
• Developing microbiome-targeted strategies may aid in reducing TB incidence and improving patient management.