Journal of Inflammation Research (Oct 2021)

Gut Microbiota Contributes to Host Defense Against Klebsiella pneumoniae-Induced Liver Abscess

  • Zheng Y,
  • Ding Y,
  • Xu M,
  • Chen H,
  • zhang H,
  • Liu Y,
  • Shen W,
  • Li J

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 14
pp. 5215 – 5225

Abstract

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Yahong Zheng,1 Yuting Ding,1 Mengran Xu,1 Haoran Chen,1 Hui zhang,1 Yanyan Liu,1– 3 Weihua Shen,4 Jiabin Li1– 3,5 1Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China; 2Anhui Center for Surveillance of Bacterial Resistance, Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China; 3Institute of Bacterial Resistance, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Special Clinic, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Infectious Diseases, The Chaohu Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Jiabin LiDepartment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital and the Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Jixi road 218, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail [email protected] ShenDepartment of Special Clinic, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Jixi road 218, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail [email protected]: Klebsiella pneumoniae-induced liver abscess (KLA) is a type of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA), which is a distinct invasive syndrome that has been increasingly reported worldwide over the past two decades. The intestinal microbiota is increasingly recognized as an important modulator that can promote and maintain host immune homeostasis. However, its precise role in liver abscess is unknown. We aimed to investigate the function of the gut microbiota in the host defense against K. pneumoniae infection.Methods: We constructed C57BL/6J mice with KLA and analyzed the diversity and richness of the intestinal microflora by 16S rRNA sequencing. Next, to create a microbiota-depleted (MD) mouse model, we administered multiple broad-spectrum antibiotics and validated the model using 16S rRNA sequencing. At 48 h after K. pneumoniae infection, we assessed the general health condition, liver injury, bacterial loads, and inflammatory factor levels in MD+KLA mice. Additionally, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was conducted in another group of MD+KLA mice prior to K. pneumoniae infection, and we assessed whether the transplantation changed the outcomes.Results: The diversity of the intestinal flora was significantly changed in KLA mice compared to control mice, with a decrease in beneficial bacteria and an increase in harmful bacteria. The MD+KLA mice exhibited impaired antimicrobial capacity, reduced survival, increased inflammation and liver damage at 48 h after K. pneumoniae infection compared to the KLA mice. However, FMT normalized the inflammatory cytokine levels, reduced liver damage, and increased survival.Conclusion: This study identified the gut microbiota as a protective factor against K. pneumoniae infection. The role of FMT in KLA should be investigated in future clinical studies.Keywords: Klebsiella pneumoniae, liver abscess, gut microbiome, fecal microbiota transplantation, inflammation

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