Mycobiome of Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis Metagenome

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), which comprises Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohns Disease (CD), is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder characterized by an alternation of periods of relapse and remission. The gut microbiota is constituted by bacteria, archaea, virus (including phages), yeast and fungi and all these microorganisms interact with host cells regulating crucial biological functions such as the activation of immune response, regulation of energy metabolism or glucose and lipid homeostasis, among others. In spite of the fact that most of the studies have focused specifically in the characterization of the intestinal bacteria in IBD patients, the analysis of the fungal composition is a milestone which is being addressed during the last years. In the present study we have characterized for the first time the mycobiome composition in intestinal surgical resections from both UC and CD patients, and we have also analyzed the mycobiome signature specifically in CDs phenotypes. We have reported significant differences in the tissular fungal composition in both UC and CD patients compared with healthy colon and ileum of non-IBD patients. In addition, here we also describe a specific fungal signature depending on the complicated-CD phenotype.