Exploiting the Microbiota for the Diagnosis of Anal Precancerous Lesions in Men Who Have Sex With Men.

BACKGROUND: While the microbiota has been associated with human papillomavirus malignant transformation, it is unclear whether anal bacteria could improve the low specificity of anal cytology for the screening of high-grade intraepithelial squamous neoplasia (HSIL). METHODS: We recruited men who have sex with men undergoing anal cytology and high-resolution anoscopy. We assessed the microbiota composition from fecal samples and cytobrush anal samples using 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing in participants with or without biopsy-proven HSIL (bHSIL). We selected bacterial biomarkers based on their linear discriminant analysis. We assessed their predictive performance using logistic regression and bootstrap resampling. RESULTS: We included 128 individuals, 47 (36.7%) with bHSIL and 99 (77.3%) with human immunodeficiency virus. We detected 40 potential predictors of bHSIL. Ruminococcaceae NK4A214 group, Alloprevotella genus, Prevotella melanonigenica, and Ruminococcaceae UCG-014 were the most predictive of bHSIL. From 35 false-positive cytologic results, the combination of these 4 biomarkers with the anal cytology reclassified to true-negative 33 individuals (94%) and showed good diagnostic performance (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.805; 95% confidence interval, .728-.882). CONCLUSIONS: We found anal-associated bacteria indicative of a higher risk of precancerous anal lesions, which combination was highly specific. The microbiota could be developed as a complementary diagnostic tool to overcome the limitations of the current screening strategy for anal cancer.

Interplay between dietary phenolic compound intake and the human gut microbiome in hypertension: A cross-sectional study.

In the present study, potential associations between dietary phenolic compounds (PCs), gut microbiota composition and targeted faecal metabolites were identified in a cross-sectional study including grade 1 hypertensive (HT) and normotensive (NT) subjects. We performed comprehensive quantification of PC intake, together with 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the gut microbiota, and faecal and plasma short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) determination. The results showed multiple-way relationships between PCs from several plant-based foods and 25 bacterial taxa previously defined as discriminant biomarkers among groups. Remarkably, coffee PCs were positively associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure, faecal SCFAs, Bacteroides plebeius and Bacteroides coprocola in HT and negatively associated with Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Christensenellaceae R-7 in NT. Olive fruit PCs were positively associated with Ruminococcaceae UCG-010, Christensenellaceae R-7 and plasma SCFAs in NT. These interplays with discriminant bacterial taxa in HT and NT subjects highlight the potential role of specific PCs as gut microbiome modulators in either the pathogenesis or prevention of hypertension.

Valorization of Persimmon and Blueberry Byproducts to Obtain Functional Powders: In Vitro Digestion and Fermentation by Gut Microbiota.

Globalization of fruit and vegetable markets generates overproduction, surpluses, and potentially valuable residues. The valorization of these byproducts constitutes a challenge, to ensure sustainability and reintroduce them into the food chain. This work focuses on blueberry and persimmon residues, rich in polyphenols and carotenoids, to obtain powders with high added value to be used as ingredients in food formulation. These powders have been characterized, and the changes in the bioactive compounds in in vitro gastrointestinal digestion have been evaluated. The results indicated that the type of residue, the drying process, as well as the content and type of fiber determine the release of antioxidants during digestion. In vitro colonic fermentations were also performed, and it was observed that the characteristics of digested powders had an effect on the composition of the growing microbial community. Thus, carotenoids and anthocyanins maintain an interplay with microbiota that could be beneficial for human health.

HIV, HPV, and microbiota: partners in crime?

Altered interplay between gut mucosa and dysbiotic bacteria during HIV infection seems to fuel chronic immune dysfunction and might explain the excess rates of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated anal cancer in HIV-infected individuals. Here, we show in HIV-infected MSM undergoing screening for HPV-related cancer that specific fecal and mucosal bacteria are able to predict the existence of precancerous anal lesions. If confirmed, these bacterial biomarkers could be exploited either as diagnostic tools or therapeutic targets.

Molecular epidemiology of a hepatitis C virus outbreak in a hemodialysis unit.

We analyzed a hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission case in the hemodialysis unit of a private clinic by sequencing two genome regions of virus isolates from a number of patients attending this unit and some external controls. The analysis of 337 nucleotides (nt) in the NS5B region did not provide enough resolution to ascertain which patients were actually involved in the outbreak and the potential source. Nevertheless, this region allowed the exclusion of several patients as putative sources of the transmission case based on their genotypes and phylogenetic relationships. On the other hand, the analysis of several 472-nt-long clone sequences per sample in a more rapidly evolving region of the HCV genome, coding for the envelope proteins and encompassing hypervariable region 1, allowed us to establish the existence of at least two independent transmission events involving two different source patients and three recipients. The direction of the transmissions was further corroborated by different measures of genetic variability within and among samples.