Arsenic disturbs the gut microbiome of individuals in a disadvantaged community in Nepal Original paper
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
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Divine Aleru
Read MoreI am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.
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Metals
Metals
Heavy metals play a significant and multifaceted role in the pathogenicity of microbial species.
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Microbes
Microbes
Microbes, short for microorganisms, are tiny living organisms that are ubiquitous in the environment, including on and inside the human body. They play a crucial role in human health and disease, functioning within complex ecosystems in various parts of the body, such as the skin, mouth, gut, and respiratory tract. The human microbiome, which is […]
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Divine Aleru
Read More
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Read More
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Divine Aleru
What was studied?
This original study tested whether arsenic disturbs the gut microbiome by linking individual urine arsenic levels to 16S rRNA–based fecal community profiles from two Nepalese communities, using Illumina MiSeq, QIIME 1.9.0, beta-diversity statistics, and LEfSe to detect exposure-associated taxa and functions.
Who was studied?
Investigators collected fecal and urine samples from residents of Mahuawa (n=20) and Ghanashyampur (n=22) in Nawalparasi, Nepal, where some wells reach ~500 µg/L arsenic; participants also completed health questionnaires, and the team grouped exposure as undetected, moderate, or high based on urine arsenic.
Most important findings
Urine arsenic explained the largest share of between-sample variation across all metadata, and beta diversity separated samples by urine arsenic within Mahuawa (Adonis p=0.009); species richness was generally lower where urine arsenic was higher. Exposure shifted taxa toward sulfate-reducing and arsenic-metabolizing bacteria: in Ghanashyampur, Bilophila and the family Desulfovibrionaceae correlated positively with urine arsenic, and the “High” group showed Collinsella enrichment; in Mahuawa, Bacillaceae rose with arsenic, while commensals Ruminococcus and Clostridiaceae fell; Erysipelotrichales decreased with exposure across communities.
Key implications
These data indicate that arsenic exposure can steer gut ecology toward sulfate-reducers (e.g., Bilophila, Desulfovibrionaceae) and away from protective commensals (e.g., Ruminococcus, Clostridiaceae), a pattern tied to inflammation and possible colorectal risk; clinicians caring for exposed patients should consider water source assessment and interventions that reduce exposure and support commensals.
Arsenic (As)
Arsenic can disrupt both human health and microbial ecosystems. Its impact on the gut microbiome can lead to dysbiosis, which has been linked to increased disease susceptibility and antimicrobial resistance. Arsenic's ability to interfere with cellular processes, especially through its interaction with essential metals like phosphate and zinc, exacerbates these effects.