16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing reveals shift in patient faecal microbiota during high-dose chemotherapy as conditioning regimen for bone marrow transplantationOriginal paper
Karen Pendergrass is a microbiome researcher specializing in microbiome-targeted interventions (MBTIs). She systematically analyzes scientific literature to identify microbial patterns, develop hypotheses, and validate interventions. As the founder of the Microbiome Signatures Database, she bridges microbiome research with clinical practice. In 2012, based on her own investigative research, she became the first documented case of FMT for Celiac Disease, four years before the first published case study.
Read MoreWhat was studied?
Eight patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma undergoing bone marrow transplant conditioning chemotherapy had their faecal microbiota profiled. Samples were taken the day before chemotherapy and one week after it began.
How was it studied?
Total DNA from stool was analysed by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography of the 16S rRNA gene V6 to V8 region. Samples also underwent 454 pyrosequencing of the V5 to V6 region, with reads processed through the QIIME pipeline.
What did they find?
Chemotherapy caused a steep drop in alpha diversity within one week. Faecalibacterium abundance fell drastically, while Escherichia abundance increased.
Why it matters
This rapid microbiota shift may contribute to gastrointestinal side effects in immunocompromised transplant patients. The authors frame the finding as an early step toward identifying patients at risk and developing preventive strategies.