Gut fungi in liver cirrhosis: characterizing mycobiota alterations and links to disease stages

Abstract

Background and aims: Recent studies have highlighted the significant role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of liver diseases. While research on bacterial changes in the gut has grown, the role of gut fungi (mycobiota) in LC has only recently begun to gain attention. However, further studies are essential to fully understand the impact of mycobiota alterations in LC. The aim of this study was to examine changes in the mycobiota profile by comparing stool samples from LC patients to those of a control group, and to explore the relationship between mycobiota alterations and clinical characteristics of the patients. Method: The study analyzed stool samples from 83 LC patients and 48 control participants. LC group included Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) A – 38%, CTP B – 38%, CTP C – 24%; MELD score ≥15–49%, MELD score <15–51%; Compensated LC – 24%, Decompensated LC – 60%, Recompensated LC – 16%. Additionally, 42% of patients were on lactulose, 29% on proton pump inhibitors, and 32% on carvedilol. Only DNA samples meeting the quality criteria were used for PCR amplification of the fungi-specific ITS2 region. Sequencing was performed using the NanoKit Illumina kit and the MiSeq Illumina platform.