Ruminococcus gnavus and biofilm markers in feces from primary bile acid diarrhea patients indicate new disease mechanisms and potential for diagnostic testing
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Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background and Aims: Bile acid diarrhea (BAD) is a common cause of frequent loose stools, urgency, and incontinence, which is under-recognized due to limited diagnostic test availability and unclear pathogenesis. This study aimed to investigate fecal changes in well-defined subjects. Methods: Fecal samples were compared in BAD patients (n = 26), diagnosed by SeHCAT testing, and healthy controls (n = 21). Shotgun metagenomic sequencing was used to identify microbiome species and functional genes. An extended set of 38 bile acids was quantified by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, including various epimers and intermediates, such as iso- (3-beta-OH), oxo (keto), allo (5-alpha), and 3-sulfated forms. Results: Alpha diversity, reflecting microbial richness, was reduced in BAD patients with severe forms of the disease, while beta diversity demonstrated distinct microbial profiles between groups. Ruminococcus gnavus (R. gnavus) was prevalent in BAD patients but rare in controls (odds ratio = 73), while Firmicutes bacterium CAG110, Eubacterium siraeum and 2 Oscillibacter species were less common in BAD (odds ratios = 25–30). Overall, 99 taxa differed significantly between groups. Bile acidtransforming genes (baiA, baiB, hdhA) were more abundant in BAD samples (P ≤ .0012). Most fecal bile acids, including iso-bile acids and intermediates, were higher in BAD. Elevated ursodeoxycholic acid-3-sulfate and relatively lower lithocholic acid and allo-bile acids, including isoallolithocholic acid, reflect changes in bacterial metabolism. Biofilm-associated genes (bssS, pgaA, pgaB) were markedly elevated in BAD patients (P ≤ .00008). SeHCAT values negatively correlated with R. gnavus (rho −0.53, P = .008) and positively with Eubacterium siraeum (rho 0.41, P = .041). Conclusion: BAD may result from an overgrowth of R. gnavus, associated with intestinal biofilms and an altered bile acid metabolism.
Date Issued
2025-05-27
Date Acceptance
2025-05-21
Citation
Gastro Hep Advances, 2025, 4 (9)
ISSN
2772-5723
Publisher
Elsevier
Journal / Book Title
Gastro Hep Advances
Volume
4
Issue
9
Copyright Statement
© 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the AGA Institute. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
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Publication Status
Published
Article Number
100712
Date Publish Online
2025-05-27