Differences in the number of OTU’s detected between mucosal and submucosal DNA samples suggesting that inadvertent influence of the submucosa with microbes from the mucosa was minimal.^*

*Although some contamination of submucosal tissues with mucosal microbes may occur (e.g., Campylobacter spp.), the high prevalence of certain genera (e.g., Tumebacillus spp. and others) within subjacent submucosal tissues as opposed to the parallel mucosa strongly support the notion that mucosal contamination is not a major factor contributing to the submucosal microbiota. Differences in the number of OTU’s detected between mucosal and submucosal DNA samples suggesting that inadvertent influence of the submucosa with microbes from the mucosa was minimal.*