Usefulness of Machine Learning-Based Gut Microbiome Analysis for Identifying Patients with Irritable Bowels Syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is diagnosed by subjective clinical symptoms. We aimed to establish an objective IBS prediction model based on gut microbiome analyses employing machine learning. We collected fecal samples and clinical data from 85 adult patients who met the Rome III criteria for IBS, as well as from 26 healthy controls. The fecal gut microbiome profiles were analyzed by 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing, and the determination of short-chain fatty acids was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The IBS prediction model based on gut microbiome data after machine learning was validated for its consistency for clinical diagnosis. The fecal microbiome alpha-diversity indices were significantly smaller in the IBS group than in the healthy controls. The amount of propionic acid and the difference between butyric acid and valerate were significantly higher in the IBS group than in the healthy controls (p < 0.05). Using LASSO logistic regression, we extracted a featured group of bacteria to distinguish IBS patients from healthy controls. Using the data for these featured bacteria, we established a prediction model for identifying IBS patients by machine learning (sensitivity >80%; specificity >90%). Gut microbiome analysis using machine learning is useful for identifying patients with IBS.

Liver Abscess and Portal Vein Thrombosis Due to Ileal Diverticulitis Mediated by Barium Fluoroscopy.

We report a case of liver abscess and portal vein thrombosis, which occurred due to diverticulitis at the terminal ileum in a 59-year-old man. The patient underwent a barium fluoroscopic examination 1 month before presenting to our hospital. He also showed liver dysfunction due to thrombosis at the superior mesenteric and portal veins. His inflammation gradually subsided after the initiation of treatment, but the recovery was not sufficient. Thus, surgery was performed. The patient condition improved after surgery and he was discharged. Barium examinations are relatively safe, but can sometimes cause severe adverse effects in patients with certain risk factors, and an appropriate diagnosis and treatment are necessary when symptoms appear.