Association of gut microbiota composition and copy number variation with Kasai procedure outcomes in infants with biliary atresia

Biliary atresia (BA), which is the most important cause of liver cirrhosis in children, is characterized by progressive fibro-obliterative inflammation involving the extra- and intrahepatic bile ducts in infancy.1 A successful Kasai portoenterostomy procedure establishes bile drainage and may prevent hepatic fibrogenesis and the need for liver transplantation. However, the procedure is unsuccessful in a significant portion of patients, who have persistent jaundice and liver dysfunction. Intestinal bile acids modulate the gut microbiota and may have a role in disease progression in BA.