We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Illumina

Illumina develops, manufactures and markets integrated systems for the analysis of genetic variations and biological ... read more Featured Products: More products

Download Mobile App




Events

09 Apr 2024 - 12 Apr 2024
15 Apr 2024 - 17 Apr 2024
23 Apr 2024 - 26 Apr 2024

Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis Characterized in Parkinson’s Disease

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 29 Jun 2020
Print article
Image: The MiSeq Next Generation Sequencer is an integrated instrument that performs clonal amplification, genomic DNA sequencing, and data analysis with base calling, alignment, variant calling, and reporting in a single run (Photo courtesy of Illumina).
Image: The MiSeq Next Generation Sequencer is an integrated instrument that performs clonal amplification, genomic DNA sequencing, and data analysis with base calling, alignment, variant calling, and reporting in a single run (Photo courtesy of Illumina).
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common, progressive, and debilitating disease, which currently cannot be prevented or cured. With the exception of rare genetic forms, the cause of PD is unknown. Symptoms start gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. Tremors are common, but the disorder also commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement.

The emerging information about the importance of the gut microbiome in human health and disease, together with the well-established connection between PD and the gut including common and early occurrence of constipation, inflammation, and increased gut membrane permeability, have raised the possibility that microorganisms in the gut may play a role in PD pathogenesis.

Neurologists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (Birmingham, AL, USA) and their colleagues conducted a microbiome-wide association study (MWAS) with two large datasets for internal replication (n = 333 and 507). They used uniform methodology when possible, interrogated confounders, and applied two statistical tests for concordance, followed by correlation network analysis to infer interactions. The team used advances in DNA sequencing and computational tools to look for microbial communities that may be associated with PD.

DNA extraction and sequencing of datasets were done in different laboratories, keeping methods uniform as possible. Negative controls were included in both datasets. DNA was extracted using MoBio PowerMag Soil DNA Isolation Kit for dataset 1 and MoBio PowerSoil DNA Isolation Kit for dataset 2, both kits using equivalent chemistries (MoBio Industries, Carlsbad, CA). Hypervariable region 4 (V4) of the bacterial/archaeal 16S rRNA gene was PCR amplified using primers and sequenced using Illumina MiSeq (Illumina, San Diego, CA, USA).

The team discovered a remarkable difference between the two datasets, despite efforts to standardize data collection and analysis. Using network analysis, they found three polymicrobial clusters, and also found that each cluster shared functional characteristics. The first cluster was that of opportunistic pathogens overabundant in PD cases, a novel finding. The other two clusters were confirmatory of previous studies. In comparison to controls, persons with PD had reduced levels of a cluster of microbes that produce short-chain fatty acids. In the third cluster, the persons with PD had elevated levels of two genera that are carbohydrate-metabolizing probiotic microbes.

The investigators reported that five genera had higher abundances in PD than in controls: Porphyromonas, Prevotella, Corynebacterium_1, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus. Ten genera had lower abundances in PD: Faecalibacterium, Agathobacter, Blautia, Roseburia, Fusicatenibacter, Lachnospira, Butyricicoccus, Lachnospiraceae_ND3007_group, Lachnospiraceae_UCG-004, and Oscillospira.

Haydeh Payami, PhD, a Professor of Molecular Genetics and the senior author of the study said, “There is more to be learned, with larger sample sizes with greater power, longitudinal studies to track change from prodromal to advanced disease, and by next-generation metagenome sequencing to broaden the scope from bacteria and archaea to include viruses and fungi, and improve the resolution to strain and gene level.” The study was published on June 12, 2020 in the journal npj Parkinson’s Disease.

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
HLX
POCT Fluorescent Immunoassay Analyzer
FIA Go
New
Gold Member
Plasma Control
Plasma Control Level 1

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: MOF materials efficiently enrich cfDNA and cfRNA in blood through simple operational process (Photo courtesy of Science China Press)

Blood Circulating Nucleic Acid Enrichment Technique Enables Non-Invasive Liver Cancer Diagnosis

The ability to diagnose diseases early can significantly enhance the effectiveness of clinical treatments and improve survival rates. One promising approach for non-invasive early diagnosis is the use... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)

POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The OvaCis Rapid Test discriminates benign from malignant epithelial ovarian cysts (Photo courtesy of INEX)

Intra-Operative POC Device Distinguishes Between Benign and Malignant Ovarian Cysts within 15 Minutes

Ovarian cysts represent a significant health issue for women globally, with up to 10% experiencing this condition at some point in their lives. These cysts form when fluid collects within a thin membrane... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.