Fungal Trans-kingdom Dynamics Linked to Responsiveness to Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) Therapy in Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) targeting gut microbiota has recently been successfully applied to ulcerative colitis. However, only a subset of patients responds to FMT, and there is a pressing need for biomarkers of responsiveness. Fungi (the mycobiota) represent a highly immunologically reactive component of the gut microbiota. We analyzed samples from a large randomized controlled trial of FMT for ulcerative colitis (UC). High Candida abundance pre-FMT was associated with a clinical response, whereas decreased Candida abundance post-FMT was indicative of ameliorated disease severity. High pre-FMT Candida was associated with increased bacterial diversity post-FMT, and the presence ..