journal article·2024-06-04Open access

Evaluation of the Suitability of Selecting a Faecal Microbiota Transplant: Bacterial Composition and Subsequent Long-Term Monitoring of the Viability of Its Frozen and Lyophilised Forms

Ivan Pacuta, Sona Gancarcikova, Stanislav Lauko, Vanda Hajduckova, Martin Janicko, Vlasta Demeckova, Maria Rynikova, Petra Adamkova, Dagmar Mudronova, Lubos Ambro, Maria Fialkovicova, Daniela Nemetova, Izabela Bertkova

Applied Sciences· Volume 14· Issue 11

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to confirm the effectiveness of FMT on the basis of optimum composition of the faecal microbiota of the donor for support therapy in patients with ulcerative colitis, and to observe the viability of the microbiota in frozen and lyophilised administration forms of FMT under various storage conditions. Methods: The bacterial microbiota composition of the FMT samples was assessed using amplicon sequencing via next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, conducted on the Illumina MiSeq platform. The BD FACS Canto flow cytometer was used to analyse the metabolic activity of FMT samples. Results: FMT analysis confirmed the presence of key butyrate-producing organisms, specifically highlighting species such as Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Faecalibacterium prausnitzi, Coprococcus catus, Eubacterium rectale, alongside contributions from genera Roseburia and Blautia. These organisms play a crucial role in maintaining intestinal health in humans. The viable microorganism counts were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the frozen form of FMT (−70 °C) in comparison to lyophilised forms (−70 °C, 4 °C and 20 °C) throughout the storage period. Conclusion: The conducted NGS analyses allowed us to confirm the suitability of our FMT donor as a potential candidate for the target group of patients diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. From the point of view of optimum utilisation of FMT at its highest metabolic activity for the purpose of transplantation, its storage for a maximum of 2 months under specified conditions was confirmed as the most suitable for the frozen and all lyophilised FMT forms.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Gut microbiota and health · Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens research · Probiotics and Fermented Foods

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Kosice, 041 81 Kosice, Slovakia

2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University and Louis Pasteur University Hospital in Kosice, 040 11 Kosice, Slovakia

Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, 040 01 Kosice, Slovakia

Center for Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Technology and Innovation Park, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, 040 01 Kosice, Slovakia

Small Animal Clinic, University Veterinary Hospital, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Kosice, 041 81 Kosice, Slovakia

Center of Clinical and Preclinical Research—MEDIPARK, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, 040 11 Kosice, Slovakia

Funding

Slovak Research and Development Agency · VEGA

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