Structural and functional alteration of the gut microbiomes in intensive care unit (ICU) staff: a cross-sectional analysis
Authors' conclusion
Our findings indicated that ICU staff exhibited a reduction in gut microbiome diversity which was associated with an increase in virulence factors and carbohydrate-active enzymes, as well as with a heightened susceptibility to endocrine and metabolic diseases and cancers.
Study context
- Population
- ICU staff and non-medical individuals (fecal samples)
- Participants
- 39 vs 39
- Exposure
- ICU staff vs non-medical subjects
- ICU staffn = 39
- Non-medicaln = 39reference
- Outcome
- Taxonomic and functional characteristics of gut microbiomes
Methodological detailsprospective, metagenomic sequencing
- Prospective
- Metagenomic sequencing
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Gut microbiome taxonomy and function
- Significant decrease in gut microbiome diversity in ICU staff
- Marked decline in Actinobacteria; substantial increase in Bacteroides and Bacteroidaceae in ICU staff
- Notable increase in carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZy) in ICU staff
- Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG): elevated risk of endocrine and metabolic disorders, enhanced glycan biosynthesis and metabolism
- KEGG pathway enrichment: significant enrichment in cancer-related pathways
- Virulence Factor Database (VFDB): higher abundance of virulence factors (immune modulation, invasion, antimicrobial activity/competitive advantage) in ICU staff
- No discernible difference in antibiotic resistance genes between groups
- All differences demonstrated clear gender disparities
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Structural and functional alteration of the gut microbiomes in ICU staff: a cross-sectional analysis. Crit Care. Published 31 March 2025. doi:10.
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