Microbiome analysis of bile samples in patients with choledocholithiasis and hepatobiliary disorders

Introduction: The involvement of bacteria in the pathogenesis of biliary tract disease is largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the microbiota of the biliary tissue among adult patients with choledocholithiasis during endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP). Methods: sequencing of bile samples, culture, and data of the medication history, underlying diseases, and liver function tests were used for the interpretation of differences in the composition of detected bacterial taxa. Results: s were detected. Conclusions: Our findings suggested correlations between the presence and relative abundance of several bacterial taxa and CBD stone formation and the effect of medication and underlying diseases on the bile microbial communities. A study on a higher number of bile samples from patients compared with the control group could reveal the role of these bacteria in the pathogenesis of biliary tract disease.