Gut Microbiome Diversity in Acute Severe Colitis is Distinct from Mild to Moderate Ulcerative Colitis

• A prospective observational study compared the gut microbiome characteristics in patients with UC, ASC, and healthy controls.
• This is the first study to characterize the microbial signature of ASC.
• The results were as follows:

1. Gut microbiome in ASC was characterized by:

1. 1. Significantly low diversity
   2. High variation

    b. Distinct abundance of specific genera varying between the 3 cohorts.

    c. Health-associated bacteria can be classified into several oligotypes depending upon their association with disease states.

    d. Platform for further research into establishing microbiome signature for prediction of outcomes in patients with ASC.

• Limitations of this study were:

1. Small sample size
2. No correlation with outcomes in ASC
3. Lack of functional analysis.