This project aimed to characterize the microbiota of the proximal gastrointestinal tract using a multi-lumen tube that samples aspirates at designated sites Raw sequence reads. Homo sapiens gastrointestinal microbiota

Objectives: Although the microbiota in the proximal gastrointestinal (GI) tract has been implicated in maintaining health and preventing diseases, much of this microbial community remains understudied in healthy individuals compared to the distal GI tract. This study aimed to characterize the microbiota across multiple proximal GI sites over time in healthy individuals.Results: Healthy, fasted volunteers (N=8; 10 admissions total) were orally intubated with a four-lumen catheter with multiple aspiration ports, allowing sampling of stomach, duodenal, and multiple jejunal sites. Fluid was sampled hourly (Conclusion: Compared to the stool microbiota, the microbiota in the stomach, duodenum, and jejunum was distinct. Short-term fluctuations in the duodenal microbiota correlated with changes in pH compared to the jejunum or stomach.