Megasphaera elsdenii has been correlated with gas production by human faecal microbiota during fermentation. The objective of this study was to determine the role of M. elsdenii in gas production by the microbiome. Kidney beans and sweet potatoes were subjected to in vitro digestion and dialysis followed by fermentation with ten faecal microbiomes: three with detectable M. elsdenii (Me_D) and seven with no detectable M. elsdenii (Me_ND). Me_D microbiomes produced more gas than the Me_ND microbiomes (p < 0.001). Me_D microbiomes produced more gas during fermentation of sweet potatoes than kidney beans (p < 0.001), while the opposite was true for the Me_ND microbiomes (p < 0.001). Among amplicon sequence variants that were associated with gas production, M. elsdenii had the strongest association (p < 0.001). Me_D microbiomes consumed more acetate and produced more butyrate than Me_ND microbiomes (p < 0.001). Gas production by M. elsdenii was confirmed by fermentation of sweet potatoes and acetate with human and rumen M. elsdenii isolates. The human isolate produced gas on sweet potatoes and acetate. This study suggests that M. elsdenii may be involved in gas production during the fermentation of flatulogenic foods through utilisation of undigestible substrates or cross-feeding on acetate.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease characterised by repeated relapses and remissions and a high recurrence rate even after symptom resolution. The primary method for IBD diagnosis is endoscopy; however, this method is expensive, invasive, and cumbersome to use serially. Therefore, more convenient and non-invasive methods for IBD diagnosis are needed. In this study, we aimed to identify biological gas markers for the development of gut inflammation. Using dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse models, five biological gases were analysed to identify predictive markers for the development of gut inflammation. Additionally, the correlation between the changes in gas composition, gut microbiota, and inflammatory markers was assessed. The hydrogen (H2) level was found to be negatively correlated with the level of lipocalin-2 (LCN2), a gut inflammation biomarker, and weight loss due to DSS-induced colitis. Furthermore, gut microbes belonging to the Rikenellaceae and Akkermansiaceae families were positively correlated with LCN2 levels and weight loss, whereas Tannerellaceae abundance was negatively correlated with LCN2 level and weight loss and positively correlated with H2 levels. This study provides new insights for IBD diagnosis; the H2 levels in biological gases are a potential biomarker for intestinal inflammation, and specific gut microbes are associated with H2 level changes.

Diversion of the faecal stream is associated with diversion colitis (DC). Preliminary studies indicate that microbiome dysbiosis contributes to its development and potentially treatment. This review aims to characterise these changes in the context of faecal diversion and identify their clinical impact. A systematic search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL databases using a predefined search strategy identifying studies investigating changes in microbiome following diversion. Findings reported according to PRISMA guidelines. Of 743 results, 6 met inclusion criteria. Five reported significantly decreased microbiome diversity in the diverted colon. At phylum level, decreases in Bacillota with a concomitant increase in Pseudomonadota were observed, consistent with dysbiosis. At genus level, studies reported decreases in beneficial lactic acid bacteria which produce short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), which inversely correlated with disease severity. Significant losses in commensals were also noted. These changes were seen to be partially reversible with restoration of bowel continuity. Changes within the microbiome were reflected by histopathological findings suggestive of intestinal dysfunction. Faecal diversion is associated with dysbiosis in the diverted colon which may have clinical implications. This is reflected in loss of microbiome diversity, increases in potentially pathogenic-associated phyla and reduction in SCFA-producing and commensal bacteria.