Alterations of gut bacteria Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in late post-transplant period after liver transplantation
Authors:   University Hospital “Lozenets”, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Sofia, Bulgaria, Kukov Alexander , Peruhova Milena ,   Faculty of Medicine, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, University Hospital “Lozenets”, Clinic of Gastroenterology, Sofia, Bulgaria, Syarov Atanas ,   Faculty of Medicine, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, University Hospital “Lozenets”, Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Sofia, Bulgaria, Altankova Iskra ,   University Hospital “Lozenets”, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Sofia, Bulgaria,   Faculty of Medicine, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Department of Clinical Immunology, Sofia, Bulgaria, Yurukova Nonka ,   Faculty of Medicine, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, University Hospital “Lozenets”, Clinic of Gastroenterology, Sofia, Bulgaria, Goncharov Andrei ,   Faculty of Medicine, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, University Hospital “Lozenets”, Clinic of Pediatrics, Sofia, Bulgaria, Vazharova Radoslava ,   Faculty of Medicine, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, University Hospital “Lozenets”, Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Sofia, Bulgaria, Mihova Anoaneta ,   University Hospital “Lozenets”, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Sofia, Bulgaria,   Faculty of Medicine, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Department of Clinical Immunology, Sofia, Bulgaria, Velikova Tsvetelina ,   University Hospital “Lozenets”, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Sofia, Bulgaria,   Faculty of Medicine, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Department of Clinical Immunology, Sofia, Bulgaria, Uzunova Yordanka ,   Faculty of Medicine, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, University Hospital “Lozenets”, Clinic of Pediatrics, Sofia, Bulgaria
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Recent studies have shown that the intestinal microbiota can modulate certain systemic metabolic and immune responses, including liver graft function and the development of complications in patients after liver transplantation (LT). Akkermansia muciniphila (AKM) and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (FAEP) are two of the most abundant gut commensal bacteria, with mucosa-protective and anti-inflammatory effects that are important for maintaining normal intestinal homeostasis and gut barrier function. Our objective was to quantify levels of Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in immunosuppressed patients with LT. Materials and methods: Fecal samples from 23 liver transplant patients (15 adults and 8 children) and 9 non-LT controls were examined. Bacterial DNA was isolated from the samples using the stool DNA isolation kit and the obtained DNA was analyzed with commercially available qPCR kit for AKM and FAEP. Results: We found a statistically significant decrease in the amount of AKM and FAEP compared to the control group. The median values were: for AKM 8.75 for patients and 10.25 for the control group (p = 0.030), and for FAEP 9.72 and 10.47, p = 0.003, respectively. In children after LT, this difference was also statistically significant: AKM (p = 0.051) and FAEP (p = 0.014). In contrast no statistically significant differences were found between adult patients and controls, AKM (p = 0.283) and FAEP (p = 0.056), although the amount of both bacteria showed tendency for reduction. Conclusions: In this pilot study, we found a reduction in the total amount of the two studied bacteria in transplanted patients compared to the control healthy group.