Numerical ecology validates a biogeographical distribution and gender-based effect on mucosa-associated bacteria along the human colon.

ABSTRACT: We applied constrained ordination numerical ecology methods to data produced with a human intestinal tract-specific phylogenetic microarray (the Aus-HIT Chip) to examine the microbial diversity associated with matched biopsy tissue samples taken from the caecum, transverse colon, sigmoid colon and rectum of 10 healthy patients. Consistent with previous studies, the profiles revealed a marked intersubject variability; however, the numerical ecology methods of analysis allowed the subtraction of the subject effect from the data and revealed, for the first time, evidence of a longitudinal gradient for specific microbes along the colorectum. In particular, probes targeting Streptococcus and Enterococcus spp. produced strongest signals with caecal and transverse colon samples, with a gradual de

SUBMITTER: Aguirre de Carcer D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3105765 | biostudies-literature | 2011 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature