The gut microbiome plays a key role in the development and progression of alcoholic hepatitis. However, little is known about the association of specific changes in the composition of the gut bacterial microbiome with disease severity.

Lang et al designed a study to ascertain the correlation between gut microbiota features and disease severity in alcoholic hepatitis patients.

Fecal samples were obtained from 74 alcoholic hepatitis patients. The relative abundance of gut bacterial taxa on genus level, and the microbiome diversity, was correlated to clinical, laboratory, and histologic parameters.

There appeared to be a negative correlation between the model for end-stage liver disease score and Shannon diversity, which was independent of potentially confounding factors. Patients with more severe disease had significantly decreased relative abundances of Akkermansia and increased relative abundance of Veillonella. There was a reduction in the Bacteroides abundance and Shannon diversity in antibiotic-treated patients. Patients given steroids were found to have an increased Veillonella abundance.

Specific changes were therefore evident in the gut bacterial microbiome of alcoholic hepatitis patients with more severe disease.

Source: Lang S, Fairfied B, Gao B, et al.Changes in the fecal bacterial microbiota associated with disease severity in alcoholic hepatitis patients.Gut Microbes. 2020 Jul 20;1-12.