Gut mucosal virome alterations in ulcerative colitis

Interesting stuff. Talks about how our intestinal virus makeup are different with an UC. Much like our wacky bacteria makeup (our biome), we have a totally wacky virus makeup (our virome). More in depth in the link, and text below.

https://gut.bmj.com/content/early/2019/03/05/gutjnl-2018-318131

Abstract
Objective The pathogenesis of UC relates to gut microbiota dysbiosis. We postulate that alterations in the viral community populating the intestinal mucosa play an important role in UC pathogenesis. This study aims to characterise the mucosal virome and their functions in health and UC.

Significance of this study

What is already known on this subject?

1.) Alterations in faecal bacteria and faecal virome have been reported in patients with IBD.

2.) Patients with UC showed an expansion of Caudovirales bacteriophages and Caudovirales species richness in the stool.

What are the new findings?

1.) We demonstrated for the first time that UC is characterised by alterations in the mucosa virobiota with functional distortion.

2.) UC mucosa showed a high abundance of DNA viruses, particularly Caudovirales bacteriophages, but a low Caudovirales diversity, richness and evenness. Gut mucosal inflammation was associated with these alterations.

3.) Abundance of Escherichia phage and Enterobacteria phage was significantly higher in the mucosa of UC than controls.

4.) Bacteriophage functions associated with host bacteria fitness and pathogenicity were markedly enriched in UC mucosa.

5.) Intricate interkingdom correlations between mucosa viruses and bacteria were significantly depleted in UC.

How might it impact on clinical practice in the foreseeable future?

1.) Alterations of mucosal virome in UC may contribute to disease pathogenesis.

2.) Therapeutic approaches involving diminishing the abundance of mucosal Caudovirales bacteriophages, including Escherichia phage and Enterobacteria phage, and reconstituting the gut microbial homeostasis between mucosa bacteria and viruses should be explored

Very interesting. Several weeks ago we had here an article about drug used for treating HIV that is actually efficient in treatment UC.

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=4062598

DBwithUC said...
Many of the viruses noted were phages. I think these mainly attack bacteria. Perhaps this is part of how the gut microbes get into dysbiosis..... It would be interesting to see not only the microbiome but the viralbiome of the super poopers identified in FMT trials.

Indeed, that might explain why they're so good. FMT transplants both microbiome and viralbiome. Those phages might be really helpful!

Thanks John!
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