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Ryu EP, Gautam Y, Proctor DM, Bhandari D, Tandukar S, Gupta M, Gautam GP, Relman DA, Shibl AA, Sherchand JB, Jha AR, Davenport ER. Nepali oral microbiomes reflect a gradient of lifestyles from traditional to industrialized. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.01.601557. [PMID: 39005279 PMCID: PMC11244963 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.01.601557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Background Lifestyle plays an important role in shaping the gut microbiome. However, its contributions to the oral microbiome remains less clear, due to the confounding effects of geography and methodology in investigations of populations studied to date. Furthermore, while the oral microbiome seems to differ between foraging and industrialized populations, we lack insight into whether transitions to and away from agrarian lifestyles shape the oral microbiota. Given the growing interest in so-called 'vanishing microbiomes' potentially being a risk factor for increased disease prevalence in industrialized populations, it is important that we distinguish lifestyle from geography in the study of microbiomes across populations. Results Here, we investigate salivary microbiomes of 63 Nepali individuals representing a spectrum of lifestyles: foraging, subsistence farming (individuals that transitioned from foraging to farming within the last 50 years), agriculturalists (individuals that have transitioned to farming for at least 300 years), and industrialists (expatriates that immigrated to the United States within the last 20 years). We characterize the role of lifestyle in microbial diversity, identify microbes that differ between lifestyles, and pinpoint specific lifestyle factors that may be contributing to differences in the microbiomes across populations. Contrary to prevailing views, when geography is controlled for, oral microbiome alpha diversity does not differ significantly across lifestyles. Microbiome composition, however, follows the gradient of lifestyles from foraging through agrarianism to industrialism, supporting the notion that lifestyle indeed plays a role in the oral microbiome. Relative abundances of several individual taxa, including Streptobacillus and an unclassified Porphyromonadaceae genus, also mirror lifestyle. Finally, we identify specific lifestyle factors associated with microbiome composition across the gradient of lifestyles, including smoking and grain source. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that by controlling for geography, we can isolate an important role for lifestyle in determining oral microbiome composition. In doing so, we highlight the potential contributions of several lifestyle factors, underlining the importance of carefully examining the oral microbiome across lifestyles to improve our understanding of global microbiomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica P. Ryu
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
| | - Yoshina Gautam
- Genetic Heritage Group, Program in Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Diana M. Proctor
- Microbial Genomics Section, Translational and Functional Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Dinesh Bhandari
- Public Health Research Laboratory, Institute of Medicine, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal
- School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Sarmila Tandukar
- Public Health Research Laboratory, Institute of Medicine, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Organization for Public Health and Environment Management, Lalitpur, Bagmati, Nepal
| | - Meera Gupta
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
| | | | - David A. Relman
- Departments of Medicine, and of Microbiology & Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Ahmed A. Shibl
- Genetic Heritage Group, Program in Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, and Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | | | - Aashish R. Jha
- Genetic Heritage Group, Program in Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, and Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Emily R. Davenport
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
- Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
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2
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Warren A, Nyavor Y, Zarabian N, Mahoney A, Frame LA. The microbiota-gut-brain-immune interface in the pathogenesis of neuroinflammatory diseases: a narrative review of the emerging literature. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1365673. [PMID: 38817603 PMCID: PMC11137262 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1365673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Research is beginning to elucidate the sophisticated mechanisms underlying the microbiota-gut-brain-immune interface, moving from primarily animal models to human studies. Findings support the dynamic relationships between the gut microbiota as an ecosystem (microbiome) within an ecosystem (host) and its intersection with the host immune and nervous systems. Adding this to the effects on epigenetic regulation of gene expression further complicates and strengthens the response. At the heart is inflammation, which manifests in a variety of pathologies including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Observations Generally, the research to date is limited and has focused on bacteria, likely due to the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of 16s rRNA sequencing, despite its lower resolution and inability to determine functional ability/alterations. However, this omits all other microbiota including fungi, viruses, and phages, which are emerging as key members of the human microbiome. Much of the research has been done in pre-clinical models and/or in small human studies in more developed parts of the world. The relationships observed are promising but cannot be considered reliable or generalizable at this time. Specifically, causal relationships cannot be determined currently. More research has been done in Alzheimer's disease, followed by Parkinson's disease, and then little in MS. The data for MS is encouraging despite this. Conclusions and relevance While the research is still nascent, the microbiota-gut-brain-immune interface may be a missing link, which has hampered our progress on understanding, let alone preventing, managing, or putting into remission neurodegenerative diseases. Relationships must first be established in humans, as animal models have been shown to poorly translate to complex human physiology and environments, especially when investigating the human gut microbiome and its relationships where animal models are often overly simplistic. Only then can robust research be conducted in humans and using mechanistic model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Warren
- The Frame-Corr Laboratory, Department of Clinical Research and Leadership, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Yvonne Nyavor
- Department of Biotechnology, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, Harrisburg, PA, United States
| | - Nikkia Zarabian
- The Frame-Corr Laboratory, Department of Clinical Research and Leadership, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Aidan Mahoney
- The Frame-Corr Laboratory, Department of Clinical Research and Leadership, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
- Undergraduate College, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, United States
| | - Leigh A. Frame
- The Frame-Corr Laboratory, Department of Clinical Research and Leadership, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
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de la Cuesta-Zuluaga J, Huus KE, Youngblut ND, Escobar JS, Ley RE. Obesity is the main driver of altered gut microbiome functions in the metabolically unhealthy. Gut Microbes 2023; 15:2246634. [PMID: 37680093 PMCID: PMC10486298 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2246634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity (OB) and cardiometabolic disease are major public health issues linked to changes in the gut microbiome. OB and poor cardiometabolic health status (CHS) are often comorbid, which hinders efforts to identify components of the microbiome uniquely linked to either one. Here, we used a deeply phenotyped cohort of 408 adults from Colombia, including subjects with OB, unhealthy CHS, or both, to validate previously reported features of gut microbiome function and diversity independently correlated with OB or CHS using fecal metagenomes. OB was defined by body mass index, waist circumference, and body fat; CHS as healthy or unhealthy according to blood biochemistry and anthropometric data. We found that OB, more so than metabolic status, drove associations with gut microbiome structure and functions. The microbiome of obese individuals with and without co-existing unhealthy CHS was characterized by reduced metagenomic diversity, reduced fermentative potential and elevated capacity to respond to oxidative stress and produce bacterial antigens. Disease-linked features were correlated with increased host blood pressure and inflammatory markers, and were mainly contributed by members of the family Enterobacteriaceae. Our results link OB with a microbiome able to tolerate an inflammatory and oxygenated gut state, and suggest that OB is the main driver of microbiome functional differences when poor CHS is a comorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kelsey E. Huus
- Department of Microbiome Science, Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nicholas D. Youngblut
- Department of Microbiome Science, Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Juan S. Escobar
- Vidarium–Nutrition, Health and Wellness Research Center, Grupo Empresarial Nutresa, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Ruth E. Ley
- Department of Microbiome Science, Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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4
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Tamarelle J, Creze MM, Savathdy V, Phonekeo S, Wallenborn J, Siengsounthone L, Fink G, Odermatt P, Kounnavong S, Sayasone S, Vonaesch P. Dynamics and consequences of nutrition-related microbial dysbiosis in early life: study protocol of the VITERBI GUT project. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1111478. [PMID: 37275646 PMCID: PMC10232750 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1111478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Early life under- and overnutrition (jointly termed malnutrition) is increasingly recognized as an important risk factor for adult obesity and metabolic syndrome, a diet-related cluster of conditions including high blood sugar, fat and cholesterol. Nevertheless, the exact factors linking early life malnutrition with metabolic syndrome remain poorly characterized. We hypothesize that the microbiota plays a crucial role in this trajectory and that the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying under- and overnutrition are, to some extent, shared. We further hypothesize that a "dysbiotic seed microbiota" is transmitted to children during the birth process, altering the children's microbiota composition and metabolic health. The overall objective of this project is to understand the precise causes and biological mechanisms linking prenatal or early life under- or overnutrition with the predisposition to develop overnutrition and/or metabolic disease in later life, as well as to investigate the possibility of a dysbiotic seed microbiota inheritance in the context of maternal malnutrition. Methods/design VITERBI GUT is a prospective birth cohort allowing to study the link between early life malnutrition, the microbiota and metabolic health. VITERBI GUT will include 100 undernourished, 100 normally nourished and 100 overnourished pregnant women living in Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR). Women will be recruited during their third trimester of pregnancy and followed with their child until its second birthday. Anthropometric, clinical, metabolic and nutritional data are collected from both the mother and the child. The microbiota composition of maternal and child's fecal and oral samples as well as maternal vaginal and breast milk samples will be determined using amplicon and shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Epigenetic modifications and lipid profiles will be assessed in the child's blood at 2 years of age. We will investigate for possible associations between metabolic health, epigenetics, and microbial changes. Discussion We expect the VITERBI GUT project to contribute to the emerging literature linking the early life microbiota, epigenetic changes and growth/metabolic health. We also expect this project to give new (molecular) insights into the mechanisms linking malnutrition-induced early life dysbiosis and metabolic health in later life, opening new avenues for microbiota-engineering using microbiota-targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne Tamarelle
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Margaux M. Creze
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Vanthanom Savathdy
- Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute, Ministry of Health, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR)
| | - Sengrloun Phonekeo
- Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute, Ministry of Health, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR)
| | - Jordyn Wallenborn
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Latsamy Siengsounthone
- Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute, Ministry of Health, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR)
| | - Günther Fink
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Peter Odermatt
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sengchanh Kounnavong
- Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute, Ministry of Health, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR)
| | - Somphou Sayasone
- Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute, Ministry of Health, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR)
| | - Pascale Vonaesch
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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5
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Sood U, Dhingra GG, Anand S, Hira P, Kumar R, Kaur J, Verma M, Singhvi N, Lal S, Rawat CD, Singh VK, Kaur J, Verma H, Tripathi C, Singh P, Dua A, Saxena A, Phartyal R, Jayaraj P, Makhija S, Gupta R, Sahni S, Nayyar N, Abraham JS, Somasundaram S, Lata P, Solanki R, Mahato NK, Prakash O, Bala K, Kumari R, Toteja R, Kalia VC, Lal R. Microbial Journey: Mount Everest to Mars. Indian J Microbiol 2022; 62:323-337. [PMID: 35974919 PMCID: PMC9375815 DOI: 10.1007/s12088-022-01029-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
A rigorous exploration of microbial diversity has revealed its presence on Earth, deep oceans, and vast space. The presence of microbial life in diverse environmental conditions, ranging from moderate to extreme temperature, pH, salinity, oxygen, radiations, and altitudes, has provided the necessary impetus to search for them by extending the limits of their habitats. Microbiology started as a distinct science in the mid-nineteenth century and has provided inputs for the betterment of mankind during the last 150 years. As beneficial microbes are assets and pathogens are detrimental, studying both have its own merits. Scientists are nowadays working on illustrating the microbial dynamics in Earth's subsurface, deep sea, and polar regions. In addition to studying the role of microbes in the environment, the microbe-host interactions in humans, animals and plants are also unearthing newer insights that can help us to improve the health of the host by modulating the microbiota. Microbes have the potential to remediate persistent organic pollutants. Antimicrobial resistance which is a serious concern can also be tackled only after monitoring the spread of resistant microbes using disciplines of genomics and metagenomics The cognizance of microbiology has reached the top of the world. Space Missions are now looking for signs of life on the planets (specifically Mars), the Moon and beyond them. Among the most potent pieces of evidence to support the existence of life is to look for microbial, plant, and animal fossils. There is also an urgent need to deliberate and communicate these findings to layman and policymakers that would help them to take an adequate decision for better health and the environment around us. Here, we present a glimpse of recent advancements by scientists from around the world, exploring and exploiting microbial diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Utkarsh Sood
- The Energy and Resources Institute, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Shailly Anand
- Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Princy Hira
- Maitreyi College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Roshan Kumar
- Post-Graduate Department of Zoology, Magadh University, Bodh Gaya, Bihar India
| | | | - Mansi Verma
- Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Sukanya Lal
- Ramjas College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | | | | | - Jaspreet Kaur
- Maitreyi College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | | | | | - Priya Singh
- Maitreyi College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Ankita Dua
- Shivaji College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Anjali Saxena
- Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Perumal Jayaraj
- Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Seema Makhija
- Acharya Narendra Dev College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Renu Gupta
- Maitreyi College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Sumit Sahni
- Acharya Narendra Dev College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Namita Nayyar
- Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | | | | | - Pushp Lata
- Ramjas College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Renu Solanki
- Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Nitish Kumar Mahato
- University Department of Zoology, Kolhan University, Chaibasa, Jharkhand India
| | - Om Prakash
- National Centre for Cell Sciences, Pune, Maharashtra India
| | - Kiran Bala
- Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Rashmi Kumari
- College of Commerce, Arts and Science, Patliputra University, Patna, Bihar India
| | - Ravi Toteja
- Acharya Narendra Dev College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | | | - Rup Lal
- The Energy and Resources Institute, New Delhi, India
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6
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Juarez VM, Montalbine AN, Singh A. Microbiome as an immune regulator in health, disease, and therapeutics. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 188:114400. [PMID: 35718251 PMCID: PMC10751508 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
New discoveries in drugs and drug delivery systems are focused on identifying and delivering a pharmacologically effective agent, potentially targeting a specific molecular component. However, current drug discovery and therapeutic delivery approaches do not necessarily exploit the complex regulatory network of an indispensable microbiota that has been engineered through evolutionary processes in humans or has been altered by environmental exposure or diseases. The human microbiome, in all its complexity, plays an integral role in the maintenance of host functions such as metabolism and immunity. However, dysregulation in this intricate ecosystem has been linked with a variety of diseases, ranging from inflammatory bowel disease to cancer. Therapeutics and bacteria have an undeniable effect on each other and understanding the interplay between microbes and drugs could lead to new therapies, or to changes in how existing drugs are delivered. In addition, targeting the human microbiome using engineered therapeutics has the potential to address global health challenges. Here, we present the challenges and cutting-edge developments in microbiome-immune cell interactions and outline novel targeting strategies to advance drug discovery and therapeutics, which are defining a new era of personalized and precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria M Juarez
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Alyssa N Montalbine
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Ankur Singh
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States; Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States.
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7
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Nadimpalli ML, Lanza VF, Montealegre MC, Sultana S, Fuhrmeister ER, Worby CJ, Teichmann L, Caduff L, Swarthout JM, Crider YS, Earl AM, Brown J, Luby SP, Islam MA, Julian TR, Pickering AJ. Drinking water chlorination has minor effects on the intestinal flora and resistomes of Bangladeshi children. Nat Microbiol 2022; 7:620-629. [PMID: 35422497 PMCID: PMC9249080 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-022-01101-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Healthy development of the gut microbiome provides long-term health benefits. Children raised in countries with high infectious disease burdens are frequently exposed to diarrhoeal pathogens and antibiotics, which perturb gut microbiome assembly. A recent cluster-randomized trial leveraging >4,000 child observations in Dhaka, Bangladesh, found that automated water chlorination of shared taps effectively reduced child diarrhoea and antibiotic use. In this substudy, we leveraged stool samples collected from 130 children 1 year after chlorine doser installation to examine differences between treatment and control children's gut microbiota. Water chlorination was associated with increased abundance of several bacterial genera previously linked to improved gut health; however, we observed no effects on the overall richness or diversity of taxa. Several clinically relevant antibiotic resistance genes were relatively more abundant in the gut microbiome of treatment children, possibly due to increases in Enterobacteriaceae. While further studies on the long-term health impacts of drinking chlorinated water would be valuable, we conclude that access to chlorinated water did not substantially impact child gut microbiome development in this setting, supporting the use of chlorination to increase global access to safe drinking water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya L. Nadimpalli
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA,Stuart B. Levy Center for Integrated Management of Antimicrobial Resistance (Levy CIMAR), Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Val F. Lanza
- Bioinformatics Unit, Ramón y Cajal Health Research Institute (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain,Network Research Center for Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Spain
| | | | - Sonia Sultana
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Erica R. Fuhrmeister
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
| | - Colin J. Worby
- Infectious Disease & Microbiome Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA
| | - Lisa Teichmann
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Lea Caduff
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Jenna M. Swarthout
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
| | - Yoshika S. Crider
- Energy and Resources Group, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA,King Center on Global Development, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ashlee M. Earl
- Infectious Disease & Microbiome Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA
| | - Joe Brown
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Stephen P. Luby
- Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mohammad Aminul Islam
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland,Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Timothy R. Julian
- Network Research Center for Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Spain,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Amy J. Pickering
- Stuart B. Levy Center for Integrated Management of Antimicrobial Resistance (Levy CIMAR), Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA,Blum Center for Developing Economies, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA,Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to Dr. Amy Pickering () and Dr. Tim Julian ()
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8
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Nkera-Gutabara CK, Kerr R, Scholefield J, Hazelhurst S, Naidoo J. Microbiomics: The Next Pillar of Precision Medicine and Its Role in African Healthcare. Front Genet 2022; 13:869610. [PMID: 35480328 PMCID: PMC9037082 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.869610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Limited access to technologies that support early monitoring of disease risk and a poor understanding of the geographically unique biological and environmental factors underlying disease, represent significant barriers to improved health outcomes and precision medicine efforts in low to middle income countries. These challenges are further compounded by the rich genetic diversity harboured within Southern Africa thus necessitating alternative strategies for the prediction of disease risk and clinical outcomes in regions where accessibility to personalized healthcare remains limited. The human microbiome refers to the community of microorganisms (bacteria, archaea, fungi and viruses) that co-inhabit the human body. Perturbation of the natural balance of the gut microbiome has been associated with a number of human pathologies, and the microbiome has recently emerged as a critical determinant of drug pharmacokinetics and immunomodulation. The human microbiome should therefore not be omitted from any comprehensive effort towards stratified healthcare and would provide an invaluable and orthogonal approach to existing precision medicine strategies. Recent studies have highlighted the overarching effect of geography on gut microbial diversity as it relates to human health. Health insights from international microbiome datasets are however not yet verified in context of the vast geographical diversity that exists throughout the African continent. In this commentary we discuss microbiome research in Africa and its role in future precision medicine initiatives across the African continent.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. K. Nkera-Gutabara
- Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience (SBIMB), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Bioengineering and Integrated Genomics Research Group, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Pretoria, South Africa
- Division of Human Genetics, National Health Laboratory Service and School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - R. Kerr
- Division of Human Genetics, National Health Laboratory Service and School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - J. Scholefield
- Bioengineering and Integrated Genomics Research Group, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Pretoria, South Africa
| | - S. Hazelhurst
- Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience (SBIMB), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Electrical and Information Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - J. Naidoo
- Bioengineering and Integrated Genomics Research Group, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Pretoria, South Africa
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9
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Robinson JM, Redvers N, Camargo A, Bosch CA, Breed MF, Brenner LA, Carney MA, Chauhan A, Dasari M, Dietz LG, Friedman M, Grieneisen L, Hoisington AJ, Horve PF, Hunter A, Jech S, Jorgensen A, Lowry CA, Man I, Mhuireach G, Navarro-Pérez E, Ritchie EG, Stewart JD, Watkins H, Weinstein P, Ishaq SL. Twenty Important Research Questions in Microbial Exposure and Social Equity. mSystems 2022; 7:e0124021. [PMID: 35089060 PMCID: PMC8725600 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01240-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Social and political policy, human activities, and environmental change affect the ways in which microbial communities assemble and interact with people. These factors determine how different social groups are exposed to beneficial and/or harmful microorganisms, meaning microbial exposure has an important socioecological justice context. Therefore, greater consideration of microbial exposure and social equity in research, planning, and policy is imperative. Here, we identify 20 research questions considered fundamentally important to promoting equitable exposure to beneficial microorganisms, along with safeguarding resilient societies and ecosystems. The 20 research questions we identified span seven broad themes, including the following: (i) sociocultural interactions; (ii) Indigenous community health and well-being; (iii) humans, urban ecosystems, and environmental processes; (iv) human psychology and mental health; (v) microbiomes and infectious diseases; (vi) human health and food security; and (vii) microbiome-related planning, policy, and outreach. Our goal was to summarize this growing field and to stimulate impactful research avenues while providing focus for funders and policymakers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake M. Robinson
- University of Sheffield, Department of Landscape Architecture, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Nicole Redvers
- Department of Family & Community Medicine, University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA
| | | | - Christina A. Bosch
- Department of Literacy, Early, Bilingual and Special Education, Kremen School of Education and Human Development, California State University, Fresno, California, USA
| | - Martin F. Breed
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Lisa A. Brenner
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Megan A. Carney
- School of the Environment, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Ashvini Chauhan
- University of Arizona, School of Anthropology and Center for Regional Food Studies, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Mauna Dasari
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Leslie G. Dietz
- University of Oregon, Biology and the Built Environment Center, Eugene, Oregon, USA
| | - Michael Friedman
- American International College of Arts and Sciences of Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda, West Indies
| | - Laura Grieneisen
- Department of Genetics, Cell, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Patrick F. Horve
- University of Oregon, Institute of Molecular Biology, Eugene, Oregon, USA
| | - Ally Hunter
- Department of Student Development, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sierra Jech
- University of Colorado Boulder, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Anna Jorgensen
- Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher A. Lowry
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Center for Neuroscience, and Center for Microbial Exploration, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Ioana Man
- Architectural Association School of Architecture, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gwynne Mhuireach
- Department of Architecture, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA
| | - Edauri Navarro-Pérez
- Program of Environmental Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Euan G. Ritchie
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences and Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia
| | - Justin D. Stewart
- Department of Ecological Science, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Harry Watkins
- St. Andrews Botanic Garden, Canongate, St. Andrews, Fife, United Kingdom
- Bio-integrated Design Lab, Bartlett School of Architecture, London, United Kingdom
| | - Philip Weinstein
- School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Suzanne L. Ishaq
- University of Maine, School of Food and Agriculture, Orono, Maine, USA
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10
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Fischer JAJ, Karakochuk CD. Feasibility of an At-Home Adult Stool Specimen Collection Method in Rural Cambodia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182312430. [PMID: 34886156 PMCID: PMC8656988 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182312430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The human microbiome has received significant attention over the past decade regarding its potential impact on health. Epidemiological and intervention studies often rely on at-home stool collection methods designed for high-resource settings, such as access to an improved toilet with a modern toilet seat. However, this is not always appropriate or applicable to low-resource settings. Therefore, the design of a user-friendly stool collection kit for low-resource rural settings is needed. We describe the development, assembly, and user experience of a simple and low-cost at-home stool collection kit for women living in rural Cambodia as part of a randomized controlled trial in 2020. Participants were provided with the stool collection kit and detailed verbal instruction. Enrolled women (n = 480) provided two stool specimens (at the start of the trial and after 12 weeks) at their home and brought them to the health centre that morning in a sterile collection container. User specimen collection compliance was high, with 90% (n = 434) of women providing a stool specimen at the end of the trial (after 12 weeks). This feasible and straightforward method has strong potential for similar or adapted use among adults residing in other rural or low-resource contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordie A. J. Fischer
- Food, Nutrition, and Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada;
- Healthy Starts, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Crystal D. Karakochuk
- Food, Nutrition, and Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada;
- Healthy Starts, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Correspondence:
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11
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Probiotics Interactions and the Modulation of Major Signalling Pathways in Host Model Organism Caenorhabditis elegans. Indian J Microbiol 2021; 61:404-416. [PMID: 34744196 DOI: 10.1007/s12088-021-00961-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Microorganisms live in the human digestive system and the gut microbiome constitutes part of our prime determining component for healthy aging and wellness. Gut microbiota has broad influences on its host, beginning from the digestion of food and nutrients absorption to protective roles against invading pathogens and host immune system regulation. Dysbiosis of the gut microbial composition has been linked to numerous diseases and there is a need to have a better grasp on what makes a 'good' gut microbiome. Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model organism is considered as a well-suited in-vivo model system and, is at the frontline of probiotic research because of its well-defined characteristics and prolific nature. Most importantly, C. elegans feeds on bacteria, which speeds up manipulations and investigations in probiotics research tremendously. With its unique salient features of short lifespan, and ease of propagation, different unknown probiotics biological roles can be measured at an organism level with precision in the form of worm's stress responses, survivability, and lifespan. In this review, new insights on the different mechanisms underlying the establishment of probiotics regulations of conserved signalling pathways such as p38 MAPK/SKN-1, DAF-2/DAF-16, and JNK-1/DAF-16 is highlighted based on information obtained from C. elegans studies. Along with the current state of knowledge and the uniqueness of C. elegans as a model organism, explorations of its future contribution and scope in synthetic biology and probiotics engineering strains are also addressed. This is expected to strengthen our understanding of probiotics roles and to facilitate novel discovery and applications, for specific therapeutics against age-related disorders and various pathophysiological conditions.
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12
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Foxx AJ, Franco Meléndez KP, Hariharan J, Kozik AJ, Wattenburger CJ, Godoy-Vitorino F, Rivers AR. Advancing Equity and Inclusion in Microbiome Research and Training. mSystems 2021; 6:e0115121. [PMID: 34636663 PMCID: PMC8510545 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01151-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This article proposes ways to improve inclusion and training in microbiome science and advocates for resource expansion to improve scientific capacity across institutions and countries. Specifically, we urge mentors, collaborators, and decision-makers to commit to inclusive and accessible research and training that improves the quality of microbiome science and begins to rectify long-standing inequities imposed by wealth disparities and racism that stall scientific progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia J. Foxx
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Adam R. Rivers
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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13
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Youngblut ND, Ley RE. Struo2: efficient metagenome profiling database construction for ever-expanding microbial genome datasets. PeerJ 2021; 9:e12198. [PMID: 34616633 PMCID: PMC8450008 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mapping metagenome reads to reference databases is the standard approach for assessing microbial taxonomic and functional diversity from metagenomic data. However, public reference databases often lack recently generated genomic data such as metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), which can limit the sensitivity of read-mapping approaches. We previously developed the Struo pipeline in order to provide a straight-forward method for constructing custom databases; however, the pipeline does not scale well enough to cope with the ever-increasing number of publicly available microbial genomes. Moreover, the pipeline does not allow for efficient database updating as new data are generated. To address these issues, we developed Struo2, which is >3.5 fold faster than Struo at database generation and can also efficiently update existing databases. We also provide custom Kraken2, Bracken, and HUMAnN3 databases that can be easily updated with new genomes and/or individual gene sequences. Efficient database updating, coupled with our pre-generated databases, enables “assembly-enhanced” profiling, which increases database comprehensiveness via inclusion of native genomic content. Inclusion of newly generated genomic content can greatly increase database comprehensiveness, especially for understudied biomes, which will enable more accurate assessments of microbiome diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas D Youngblut
- Microbiome Science, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Tuebingen, Baden Wurttemberg, Germany
| | - Ruth E Ley
- Microbiome Science, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Tuebingen, Baden Wurttemberg, Germany
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14
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Kuthyar S, Reese AT. Variation in Microbial Exposure at the Human-Animal Interface and the Implications for Microbiome-Mediated Health Outcome. mSystems 2021; 6:e0056721. [PMID: 34342530 PMCID: PMC8407385 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00567-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The human gut microbiome varies between populations, largely reflecting ecological differences. One ecological variable that is rarely considered but may contribute substantially to microbiome variation is the multifaceted nature of human-animal interfaces. We present the hypothesis that different interactions with animals contribute to shaping the human microbiome globally. We utilize a One Health framework to explore how changes in microbial exposure from human-animal interfaces shape the microbiome and, in turn, contribute to differential human health across populations, focusing on commensal and pathogen exposure, changes in colonization resistance and immune system training, and the potential for other functional shifts. Although human-animal interfaces are known to underlie human health and particularly infectious disease disparities, since their impact on the human microbiome remains woefully understudied, we propose foci for future research. We believe it will be crucial to understand this critical aspect of biology and its impacts on human health around the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahana Kuthyar
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Aspen T. Reese
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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15
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Porras AM, Shi Q, Zhou H, Callahan R, Montenegro-Bethancourt G, Solomons N, Brito IL. Geographic differences in gut microbiota composition impact susceptibility to enteric infection. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109457. [PMID: 34320343 PMCID: PMC8333197 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Large-scale studies of human gut microbiomes have revealed broad differences in composition across geographically distinct populations. Yet, studies examining impacts of microbiome composition on various health outcomes typically focus on single populations, posing the question of whether compositional differences between populations translate into differences in susceptibility. Using germ-free mice humanized with microbiome samples from 30 donors representing three countries, we observe robust differences in susceptibility to Citrobacter rodentium, a model for enteropathogenic Escherichia coli infections, according to geographic origin. We do not see similar responses to Listeria monocytogenes infections. We further find that cohousing the most susceptible and most resistant mice confers protection from C. rodentium infection. This work underscores the importance of increasing global participation in microbiome studies related to health outcomes. Diverse cohorts are needed to identify both population-specific responses to specific microbiome interventions and to achieve broader-reaching biological conclusions that generalize across populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Maria Porras
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Qiaojuan Shi
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Hao Zhou
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Rowan Callahan
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | | | - Noel Solomons
- Center for Studies of Sensory Impairment, Aging and Metabolism (CeSSIAM), Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Ilana Lauren Brito
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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16
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Mulder N, Zass L, Hamdi Y, Othman H, Panji S, Allali I, Fakim YJ. African Global Representation in Biomedical Sciences. Annu Rev Biomed Data Sci 2021; 4:57-81. [PMID: 34465182 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biodatasci-102920-112550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
African populations are diverse in their ethnicity, language, culture, and genetics. Although plagued by high disease burdens, until recently the continent has largely been excluded from biomedical studies. Along with limitations in research and clinical infrastructure, human capacity, and funding, this omission has resulted in an underrepresentation of African data and disadvantaged African scientists. This review interrogates the relative abundance of biomedical data from Africa, primarily in genomics and other omics. The visibility of African science through publications is also discussed. A challenge encountered in this review is the relative lack of annotation of data on their geographical or population origin, with African countries represented as a single group. In addition to the abovementioned limitations,the global representation of African data may also be attributed to the hesitation to deposit data in public repositories. Whatever the reason, the disparity should be addressed, as African data have enormous value for scientists in Africa and globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Mulder
- Computational Biology Division, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; .,Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa (CIDRI-AFRICA), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Lyndon Zass
- Computational Biology Division, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa;
| | - Yosr Hamdi
- Laboratory of Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics and Laboratory of Human and Experimental Pathology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 1002 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Houcemeddine Othman
- Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
| | - Sumir Panji
- Computational Biology Division, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa;
| | - Imane Allali
- Laboratory of Human Pathologies Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, and Genomic Center of Human Pathologies, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University in Rabat, 1014 Rabat, Morocco
| | - Yasmina Jaufeerally Fakim
- Biotechnology Unit, Department of Agricultural and Food Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius, Réduit 80837, Mauritius
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17
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Therapeutic Effect of a Newly Isolated Lytic Bacteriophage against Multi-Drug-Resistant Cutibacterium acnes Infection in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22137031. [PMID: 34209998 PMCID: PMC8268795 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Acne vulgaris, which is mostly associated with the colonization of Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes), is a common skin inflammatory disease in teenagers. However, over the past few years, the disease has extended beyond childhood to chronically infect approximately 40% of adults. While antibiotics have been used for several decades to treat acne lesions, antibiotic resistance is a growing crisis; thus, finding a new therapeutic target is urgently needed. Studies have shown that phage therapy may be one alternative for treating multi-drug-resistant bacterial infections. In the present study, we successfully isolated a C. acnes phage named TCUCAP1 from the skin of healthy volunteers. Morphological analysis revealed that TCUCAP1 belongs to the family Siphoviridae with an icosahedral head and a non-contractile tail. Genome analysis found that TCUCAP1 is composed of 29,547 bp with a G+C content of 53.83% and 56 predicted open reading frames (ORFs). The ORFs were associated with phage structure, packing, host lysis, DNA metabolism, and additional functions. Phage treatments applied to mice with multi-drug-resistant (MDR) C.-acnes-induced skin inflammation resulted in a significant decrease in inflammatory lesions. In addition, our attempt to formulate the phage into hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) cream may provide new antibacterial preparations for human infections. Our results demonstrate that TCUCAP1 displays several features that make it an ideal candidate for the control of C. acnes infections.
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18
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Marselle MR, Hartig T, Cox DTC, de Bell S, Knapp S, Lindley S, Triguero-Mas M, Böhning-Gaese K, Braubach M, Cook PA, de Vries S, Heintz-Buschart A, Hofmann M, Irvine KN, Kabisch N, Kolek F, Kraemer R, Markevych I, Martens D, Müller R, Nieuwenhuijsen M, Potts JM, Stadler J, Walton S, Warber SL, Bonn A. Pathways linking biodiversity to human health: A conceptual framework. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 150:106420. [PMID: 33556912 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Biodiversity is a cornerstone of human health and well-being. However, while evidence of the contributions of nature to human health is rapidly building, research into how biodiversity relates to human health remains limited in important respects. In particular, a better mechanistic understanding of the range of pathways through which biodiversity can influence human health is needed. These pathways relate to both psychological and social processes as well as biophysical processes. Building on evidence from across the natural, social and health sciences, we present a conceptual framework organizing the pathways linking biodiversity to human health. Four domains of pathways-both beneficial as well as harmful-link biodiversity with human health: (i) reducing harm (e.g. provision of medicines, decreasing exposure to air and noise pollution); (ii) restoring capacities (e.g. attention restoration, stress reduction); (iii) building capacities (e.g. promoting physical activity, transcendent experiences); and (iv) causing harm (e.g. dangerous wildlife, zoonotic diseases, allergens). We discuss how to test components of the biodiversity-health framework with available analytical approaches and existing datasets. In a world with accelerating declines in biodiversity, profound land-use change, and an increase in non-communicable and zoonotic diseases globally, greater understanding of these pathways can reinforce biodiversity conservation as a strategy for the promotion of health for both people and nature. We conclude by identifying research avenues and recommendations for policy and practice to foster biodiversity-focused public health actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa R Marselle
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Ecosystem Services, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstraße 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Straße 159, 07743 Jena, Germany; Institute of Psychological Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom.
| | - Terry Hartig
- Institute for Housing and Urban Research, Uppsala University, Box 514, SE-75120 Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Box 1225, SE-75142 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Daniel T C Cox
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, United Kingdom
| | - Siân de Bell
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, United Kingdom
| | - Sonja Knapp
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Community Ecology, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Sarah Lindley
- Department of Geography, School of Environment, Education and Development, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Margarita Triguero-Mas
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institute for Environmental Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain; IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain; Barcelona Lab for Urban Environmental Justice and Sustainability, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Katrin Böhning-Gaese
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstraße 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt (Main), Germany; Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Institute for Ecology, Evolution & Diversity, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60439 Frankfurt (Main), Germany
| | - Matthias Braubach
- WHO Regional Office for Europe, European Centre for Environment and Health, Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1, 53113 Bonn, Germany
| | - Penny A Cook
- School of Health and Society, University of Salford, Salford M6 6PU, United Kingdom
| | - Sjerp de Vries
- Cultural Geography, Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Anna Heintz-Buschart
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstraße 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Soil Ecology, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Max Hofmann
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstraße 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; Institute of Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany; Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO), Theodor-Lieser- Strasse 2, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Katherine N Irvine
- Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences Department, The James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, United Kingdom
| | - Nadja Kabisch
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Geography Department, Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin, Germany; Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Department of Urban and Environmental Sociology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Franziska Kolek
- Chair and Institute of Environmental Medicine, UNIKA-T, Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Zentrum München, Germany - German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Roland Kraemer
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Geography Department, Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin, Germany; Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Monitoring and Exploration Technologies, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Iana Markevych
- Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Ingardena 6, 33-332 Krakow, Poland
| | - Dörte Martens
- Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Faculty of Landscape Management and Nature Conservation, Eberswalde, Germany
| | - Ruth Müller
- Unit Entomology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt (Main), Germany
| | - Mark Nieuwenhuijsen
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jacqueline M Potts
- Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, United Kingdom
| | - Jutta Stadler
- German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), Germany
| | - Samantha Walton
- Department of English Literature, Bath Spa University, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Sara L Warber
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, United Kingdom; Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Aletta Bonn
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Ecosystem Services, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstraße 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Straße 159, 07743 Jena, Germany
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19
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Gupta VK, Kim M, Bakshi U, Cunningham KY, Davis JM, Lazaridis KN, Nelson H, Chia N, Sung J. A predictive index for health status using species-level gut microbiome profiling. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4635. [PMID: 32934239 PMCID: PMC7492273 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18476-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Providing insight into one’s health status from a gut microbiome sample is an important clinical goal in current human microbiome research. Herein, we introduce the Gut Microbiome Health Index (GMHI), a biologically-interpretable mathematical formula for predicting the likelihood of disease independent of the clinical diagnosis. GMHI is formulated upon 50 microbial species associated with healthy gut ecosystems. These species are identified through a multi-study, integrative analysis on 4347 human stool metagenomes from 34 published studies across healthy and 12 different nonhealthy conditions, i.e., disease or abnormal bodyweight. When demonstrated on our population-scale meta-dataset, GMHI is the most robust and consistent predictor of disease presence (or absence) compared to α-diversity indices. Validation on 679 samples from 9 additional studies results in a balanced accuracy of 73.7% in distinguishing healthy from non-healthy groups. Our findings suggest that gut taxonomic signatures can predict health status, and highlight how data sharing efforts can provide broadly applicable discoveries. A biologically-interpretable and robust metric that provides insight into one’s health status from a gut microbiome sample is an important clinical goal in current human microbiome research. Herein, the authors introduce a species-level index that predicts the likelihood of having a disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinod K Gupta
- Microbiome Program, Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.,Division of Surgery Research, Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Minsuk Kim
- Microbiome Program, Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.,Division of Surgery Research, Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Utpal Bakshi
- Microbiome Program, Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.,Division of Surgery Research, Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Kevin Y Cunningham
- Graduate Research Education Program (GREP), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.,Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota Twin-Cities, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - John M Davis
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Konstantinos N Lazaridis
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Heidi Nelson
- Emeritus Chair, Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Nicholas Chia
- Microbiome Program, Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.,Division of Surgery Research, Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Jaeyun Sung
- Microbiome Program, Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA. .,Division of Surgery Research, Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA. .,Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
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20
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Abstract
Shotgun metagenomic sequencing has revolutionized our ability to detect and characterize the diversity and function of complex microbial communities. In this review, we highlight the benefits of using metagenomics as well as the breadth of conclusions that can be made using currently available analytical tools, such as greater resolution of species and strains across phyla and functional content, while highlighting challenges of metagenomic data analysis. Major challenges remain in annotating function, given the dearth of functional databases for environmental bacteria compared to model organisms, and the technical difficulties of metagenome assembly and phasing in heterogeneous environmental samples. In the future, improvements and innovation in technology and methodology will lead to lowered costs. Data integration using multiple technological platforms will lead to a better understanding of how to harness metagenomes. Subsequently, we will be able not only to characterize complex microbiomes but also to manipulate communities to achieve prosperous outcomes for health, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia N New
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA;
| | - Ilana L Brito
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA;
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21
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Global disparities in faecal microbiota transplantation research. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 5:241. [DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(19)30452-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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22
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Sharpton TJ, Combrink L, Arnold HK, Gaulke CA, Kent M. Harnessing the gut microbiome in the fight against anthelminthic drug resistance. Curr Opin Microbiol 2020; 53:26-34. [PMID: 32114334 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2020.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Intestinal helminth parasites present major challenges to the welfare of humans and threaten the global food supply. While the discovery of anthelminthic drugs empowered our ability to offset these harms to society, the alarming rise of anthelminthic drug resistance mitigates contemporary efforts to treat and control intestinal helminthic infections. Fortunately, emerging research points to potential opportunities to combat anthelminthic drug resistance by harnessing the gut microbiome as a resource for discovering novel therapeutics and informing responsible drug administration. In this review, we highlight research that demonstrates this potential and provide rationale to support increased investment in efforts to uncover and translationally utilize knowledge about how the gut microbiome mediates intestinal helminthic infection and its outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Sharpton
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA; Department of Statistics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.
| | - Leigh Combrink
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Holly K Arnold
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA; Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | | | - Michael Kent
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
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