Comparison of fecal and oral collection methods for studies of the human microbiota in two Iranian cohorts

To initiate fecal and oral collections in prospective cohort studies for microbial analyses, it is essential to understand how field conditions and geographic differences may impact microbial communities. We collected fecal and oral samples from participants in two Iranian cohorts located in Yazd (n=46) and Gonbad (n=38) and investigated room temperature stability over 4 days of fecal (RNAlater and fecal occult blood test [FOBT] cards) and comparability of fecal and oral (OMNIgene ORAL kits and Scope mouthwash) collection methods.