Eukaryotes in the gut microbiota in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.
Mandarano, Alexandra H, Giloteaux, Ludovic, Keller, Betsy A et al. · PeerJ · 2018 · DOI
Quick Summary
This study looked at tiny organisms called eukaryotes (which include fungi and parasites) living in the gut of people with ME/CFS compared to healthy people. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS had slightly less diversity of these organisms and some differences in fungal types, though these differences were small. The findings suggest that gut imbalances in ME/CFS may involve more than just bacteria.
Why It Matters
Understanding the complete gut microbiome—including fungi and other eukaryotes—is important because many ME/CFS patients have gastrointestinal symptoms and inflammation. This research expands beyond bacteria to reveal a more complete picture of how the gut environment differs in ME/CFS, potentially opening new avenues for treatment and diagnosis.
Observed Findings
Eukaryotic diversity showed a small, nonsignificant decrease in ME/CFS patients versus healthy controls
ME/CFS patients demonstrated a nonsignificant increase in the ratio of Basidiomycota to Ascomycota fungi
No specific eukaryotic taxa were identified as significantly associated with ME/CFS disease status
The study successfully detected eukaryotes in stool samples using 18S rRNA sequencing methodology
Inferred Conclusions
Dysbiosis in ME/CFS involves eukaryotic communities in addition to previously documented bacterial alterations
The fungal composition shift toward Basidiomycota may reflect ongoing gastrointestinal inflammation in ME/CFS
Eukaryotic changes in ME/CFS are subtle and require larger studies to identify potential disease-associated organisms
Remaining Questions
What causes the observed shift in fungal ratios, and does this reflect a primary pathological process or a secondary consequence of inflammation?
Would larger sample sizes reveal specific eukaryotic taxa associated with ME/CFS that could serve as biomarkers or therapeutic targets?
How do eukaryotic dysbiosis patterns correlate with specific GI symptoms and biomarkers of intestinal permeability in ME/CFS patients?
What This Study Does Not Prove
This study does not prove that eukaryotic changes cause ME/CFS symptoms or that correcting these imbalances would improve health. The nonsignificant findings mean the observed differences may be due to chance, and the study cannot establish whether any identified organisms contribute to disease mechanisms or could serve as reliable diagnostic markers.
Tags
Symptom:Fatigue
Biomarker:Blood Biomarker
Method Flag:Weak Case DefinitionSmall SampleExploratory Only