Brief Articles
Copyright ©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jun 21, 2009; 15(23): 2887-2892
Published online Jun 21, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.2887
Lower Bifidobacteria counts in both duodenal mucosa-associated and fecal microbiota in irritable bowel syndrome patients
Angèle PM Kerckhoffs, Melvin Samsom, Michel E van der Rest, Joris de Vogel, Jan Knol, Kaouther Ben-Amor, Louis MA Akkermans
Angèle PM Kerckhoffs, Melvin Samsom, Louis MA Akkermans, Gastrointestinal Research Unit, Department of Gastroenterology and Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, F02.618, 3584CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Michel E van der Rest, Joris de Vogel, BioVisible BV, LJ Zielstraweg 1, 9713 GX, Groningen, The Netherlands
Jan Knol, Kaouther Ben-Amor, Danone Research-Centre for Specialized Nutrition, Bosrandweg 20, 6704PH, Wageningen, The Netherlands
Author contributions: Kerckhoffs APM, Samsom M, van der Rest ME, de Vogel J, Knol J, Ben-Amor K and Akkermans LMA contributed equally to this work.
Correspondence to: Angèle PM Kerckhoffs, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Heidelberglaan 100, F02.618, 3584CX Utrecht, The Netherlands. angelekerckhoffs@hotmail.com
Telephone: +31-88-755-9812
Fax: +31-88-755-5533
Received: March 5, 2009
Revised: April 21, 2009
Accepted: April 28, 2009
Published online: June 21, 2009
Abstract

AIM: To determine the composition of both fecal and duodenal mucosa-associated microbiota in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients and healthy subjects using molecular-based techniques.

METHODS: Fecal and duodenal mucosa brush samples were obtained from 41 IBS patients and 26 healthy subjects. Fecal samples were analyzed for the composition of the total microbiota using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and both fecal and duodenal brush samples were analyzed for the composition of bifidobacteria using real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS: The FISH analysis of fecal samples revealed a 2-fold decrease in the level of bifidobacteria (4.2 ± 1.3 vs 8.3 ± 1.9, P < 0.01) in IBS patients compared to healthy subjects, whereas no major differences in other bacterial groups were observed. At the species level, Bifidobacterium catenulatum levels were significantly lower (6 ± 0.6 vs 19 ± 2.5, P < 0.001) in the IBS patients in both fecal and duodenal brush samples than in healthy subjects.

CONCLUSION: Decreased bifidobacteria levels in both fecal and duodenal brush samples of IBS patients compared to healthy subjects indicate a role for microbiotic composition in IBS pathophysiology.

Keywords: Irritable bowel syndrome; Gut microbiota; Bifidobacteria; Bifidobacterium catenulatum