Does Intestinal Microbiota at Admission Predict Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients with Cirrhosis?

Dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota has been shown to be associated with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). Certain features of intestinal microbiota may predict liver-related events in patients with cirrhosis who are admitted to the hospital.

To further test this hypothesis, researchers collected stool samples from patients with cirrhosis at admission to multiple hospitals in North America and assessed whether microbiota composition was associated with ACLF, individual organ failures, transfer to an intensive care unit, and death or hospice entry within 30 days.

Microbiota composition indicators of alpha diversity (within groups), beta diversity (between groups), cirrhosis dysbiosis ratio, and taxa were compared between the group of p…