Human small intestine metagenome in smokers, ex-smokers and non-smokers

Tobacco smoking is the leading preventable cause of cancer, and affects the respiratory, oral, fecal, and duodenal mucosa-associated microbiota. However, the small bowel luminal microbiome is less studied, due to difficulties of access and aspirate viscosity. We used novel, validated techniques to compare the duodenal luminal microbiome in never-smokers, current smokers, and ex-smokers who had not smoked in more than 10 years.