384 Alterations in the fungal microbiome in ulcerative colitis

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Although gut fungi have been implicated in the immunopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease, the fungal microbiome has not been deeply explored across endo-histologic activity and treatment-exposure in ulcerative colitis. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Our retrospective cohort was derived from the Study of a Prospective Adult Research Cohort with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. We evaluated the fungal composition of fecal samples from 98 ulcerative colitis patients across endoscopic activity (n=43), endo-histologic activity (n=41), and biologic-exposure (n=98). Across all subgroups, we assessed fungal diversity and differential abundance of specific taxonomic groups. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We identified 504 unique fungal amplicon sequence variants across the cohort of 98 patients, dominated by phylum Ascomycota. Compared to endoscopic remission, patients with endoscopic activity had an increased global fungus load (p DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Endoscopic inflammation in ulcerative colitis is associated with altered fungal diversity driven by expansion of Saccharomyces and Candida compared to remission. The role of these fungal taxa as potential biomarkers and targets for personalized approaches to therapeutics in ulcerative colitis should be evaluated.