Investigation of Gut Microbiota Disorders in Sepsis and Sepsis Complicated with Acute Gastrointestinal Injury Based on 16S rRNA Genes Illumina Sequencing

Abstract

Background

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by the host’s dysfunctional response to infection, which can cause acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI). The gut microbiota is dynamic and plays a role in the immune and metabolic. The aim of this study was to investigate the composition and function of gut microbiota in patients with sepsis, as well as the gut microbiome that may be involved in the occurrence of AGI.

Methods

A total of 23 stool samples from healthy control individuals and 41 stool samples from sepsis patients were collected. Patients with sepsis were followed up for one week to observe whether AGI has occurred. Finally, 41 patients included 21 sepsis complicated with AGI (referred to as Com-AGI) and 20 sepsis without complicated with AGI (referred to as No-AGI). The gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, followed by composition analysis, difference analysis, correlation analysis, functional prediction analysis.

Results

The diversity and evenness of gut microbiota were decreased in patients with sepsis. Compared with No-AGI, the gut microbiota of Com-AGI has higher community diversity, richness, and phylogenetic diversity. Escherichia-Shigella, Blautia and Enterococcus may be important indicators of sepsis. The correlation analysis showed that aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Barnesiella have the most significant positive correlation. Moreover, Clostridium_innocuum_group, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group and Eubacterium were all significantly correlated with LAC and DAO. Clostridium_innocuum_group, Barnesiella, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group and Eubacterium may play important roles in the occurrence of AGI in sepsis. PICRUSt analysis revealed multiple functional pathways involved in the relationship between gut microbiota and sepsis, including starch degradation V, glycogen degradation I (bacterial), Lipoic acid metabolism and Valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis. BugBase analysis showed that the gut microbiota with Aerobic phenotype may play an important role in sepsis.

Conclusion

Dysfunction of gut microbiota was associated with sepsis and AGI in patients with sepsis.

Keywords:

• sepsis
• acute gastrointestinal injury
• gut microbiota
• PICRUSt
• classification model

Data Sharing Statement

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate

This study was approved by the Bioethics Committee of The First Hospital of Qinhuangdao (2022k015). The written informed consent was obtained from the all patients. All participants were informed as to the purpose of this study, and that this study complied with the Declaration of Helsinki.

Consent for Publication

The subjects gave written informed consent for the publication of any associated data and accompanying images.

Disclosure

The authors declare no competing interests in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by “Qinhuangdao Science and Technology Research and Development Program (202301A250)”.