Microbiome Translocation in Different Circulatory Compartments in Decompensated Cirrhosis

Acquired dysfunctional immunity in cirrhosis predisposes patients to frequent bacterial infections contributing to disease progression and may lead to the development of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is one of the most frequent infections in cirrhosis and therefore a trigger for ACLF. ACLF is characterized by systemic inflammation even in the absence of confirmed infection and associated with poor outcome. The source of ascites infection, especially in case of culture-positive SBP and bacterascites, is suspected to be bacterial translocation from gut.

In decompensated cirrhosis, data on the gut microbial translocation in different circulatory compartments is limited. Moreover, the link between gut microbiome and systemic inflammation in liver disease has still not established.

The transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is applied to treat portal hypertension which frequently leads to intestinal bleeding, life-threatening esophageal bleeding and ascites. Under the procedure of TIPS, the vein blood samples in different compartments (superior mesenteric vein, portal vein and hepatic vein) from patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis are available. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is a promise approach for the diagnosis of infectious disease because a comprehensive spectrum of potential causes (viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic) can be identified by a single assay. Previous study reported that mNGS of cerebrospinal fluid can be applied to diagnosis of meningitis and encephalitis. Comparing to traditional bacterial culture method, mNGS method is more sensitive and rapidly in pathogen detection. Therefore, the circulating microbiome in different compartment can be characterized by means of mNGS.

Here, the study aim to investigate the circulating microbiome from superior mesenteric vein (first venous outflow in gut-liver axis), hepatic vein (liver outflow), peripheral vein and ascites from patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis receiving TIPS. Before TIPS, fecal sample and unary sample are collected. And mNGS method is performed to identify the pathogen in ascites,fecal and blood samples in a single center. Ultimately, the study aim to build up the link between gut microbiome translocation and liver disease.