P1349 Fungal profile of the gut colon - a new tool in diagnostics of ulcerative colitis remission

Background

Numerous studies show structural and quantitative changes in the bacterial microbiota of the colon in different phases of ulcerative colitis (UC) and its relationship with the pathogenesis and prognosis of the disease. However, in addition to bacterial community dysbiosis, patients with UC exhibit changes in the composition of the fungal microbiota, which allows it to be considered from the standpoint of a non-invasive method for predicting disease remission.

Methods

The study included 21 patients (ages from 20 to 41, 13 men and 8 women) in the relapse stage of UC - left-sided UC with mild to moderate activity (Truelov-Witts scale, Mayo index); and 20 patients (ages from 26 to 52, 10 men and 10 women) in the stage of clinical endoscopic remission. Gut microbiota was assessed by sequencing of the 18S ribosomal RNA.

Results

A logistic regression model was evaluated to predict UC remission. In cases of achieving clinical endoscopic remission of the disease, a statistically significant increase in the levels of Malassezia and Blastocystis genera and a decrease in Aspergillus were recorded. The results of the model evaluation are presented in Table 1.

The model is statistically significant according to the chi-square criterion (p=0.008), the Cox and Snell determination pseudo-coefficient is 0.449, Nagelkerk – 0.599. The sensitivity and specificity of the model are 0.8 (Fig. 1).

The indicators show that this model has sufficient predictive ability.

Conclusion

Analysis of the gut mycobiota profile in different phases of the course of UC allowed to determine a model for predicting remission - an increase in the levels of the Malassezia and Blastocystis genera and a decrease in the Aspergillus genus, which constitutes a new non-invasive method for monitoring the course of the disease.