GUT MICROBIOTA AND TRAVELS
Objective: Traveling and close contact with new people, consumable water and food may be important pathways for gut microbiota modification. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the composition, diversity and dynamics of gut microbiota is influenced by long stays in non-European countries.    Methods: Two prospective cohorts were analyzed: (i) A longitudinal cohort of long-term travelers, who provided self-collected fecal samples before and after their travel. (ii) A cohort of long-term travelers and recently arrived migrants from non-European countries that was compared with non-travelers controls. Each participant self-collected a fecal sample. Baseline demographic,  epidemiological data and travel information were requested. Microbiota was characterized through 16S rRNA gene sequencing.   Results: The longitudinal cohort included 17 subjects. A trend to higher bacterial diversity was observed after traveling (Shannon index 3.12 vs. 3.26). Eighty-four travelers/migrants and 97 non-travelers were compared, being confirmed an association of higher diversity levels with traveling (Phylogenetic diversity: 22.1 vs 20.9). Also, specific genera (Escherichia/Shigella, Bacteroides and Parabacteroides) enriched on travelers' gut microbiota were identified. Three major clusters of samples with profound differences in their bacterial composition and differential distribution (Adonis P<0.001, R2=30.6%) were observed; two of them with higher frequency in travelers compared with non-travelers. While one cluster was dominated by Escherichia/Shigella with the lowest levels of richness/diversity, the other was dominated by Faecalibacterium and Bacteroides with the highest richness/diversity patterns.   Conclusion: This study suggests that international travels have significant impact on gut microbiota composition, and points to the importance of host characteristics on modification patterns.
Objective: Traveling and close contact with new people, consumable water and food may be important pathways for gut microbiota modification. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the composition, diversity and dynamics of gut microbiota is influenced by long stays in non-European countries.    Methods: Two prospective cohorts were analyzed: (i) A longitudinal cohort of long-term travelers, who provided self-collected fecal samples before and after their travel. (ii) A cohort of long-term travelers and recently arrived migrants from non-European countries that was compared with non-travelers controls. Each participant self-collected a fecal sample. Baseline demographic,  epidemiological data and travel information were requested. Microbiota was characterized through 16S rRNA gene sequencing.   Results: The longitudinal cohort included 17 subjects. A trend to higher bacterial diversity was observed after traveling (Shannon index 3.12 vs. 3.26). Eighty-four travelers/migrants and 97 non-travelers were compared, being confirmed an association of higher diversity levels with traveling (Phylogenetic diversity: 22.1 vs 20.9). Also, specific genera (Escherichia/Shigella, Bacteroides and Parabacteroides) enriched on travelers' gut microbiota were identified. Three major clusters of samples with profound differences in their bacterial composition and differential distribution (Adonis P<0.001, R2=30.6%) were observed; two of them with higher frequency in travelers compared with non-travelers. While one cluster was dominated by Escherichia/Shigella with the lowest levels of richness/diversity, the other was dominated by Faecalibacterium and Bacteroides with the highest richness/diversity patterns.   Conclusion: This study suggests that international travels have significant impact on gut microbiota composition, and points to the importance of host characteristics on modification patterns.
Hospital Sant Joan de Deu