Rapidly Processed Stool Swabs Approximate Stool Microbiota Profiles.

ABSTRACT: Studies of the intestinal microbiome commonly utilize stool samples to measure the microbial composition in the distal gut. However, collection of stool can be difficult from some subjects under certain experimental conditions. Sampling of fecal material using sterile swabs can streamline sample collection, handling, and processing. In this study, we validate the use of swabs of fecal matter to approximate measurements of microbiota in stool using 16S rRNA gene Illumina amplicon sequencing and evaluate the effects of shipping time at ambient temperatures on accuracy. The results indicate that swab samples reliably replicate the stool microbiota bacterial composition, alpha diversity, and beta diversity when swabs are processed quickly (≤2 days) but that sample quality quickly degrades afte

SUBMITTER: Bokulich NA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6458435 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature