Structural and functional alteration of the gut microbiomes in ICU staff

This study aimed to further compare the taxonomic and functional characteristics of gut microbiomes between ICU staff and non-medical subjects using metagenomic sequencing. A cross-sectional cohort study was conducted prospectively in an ICU in Wuhan, wherein fecal samples from 39 individuals per group were analyzed through metagenomic sequencing. We found that ICU staff demonstrated a significant reduction in gut microbiome diversity when compared to non-medical controls, characterized by a prominent reduction in Actinobacteria and a significant increase in Bacteroides and Bacteroidaceae. KEGG analysis revealed an elevated risk of endocrine and metabolic diseases, accompanied by an augmentation in glycan biosynthesis and metabolism.