Establishment of a non-Westernized gut microbiota in men who have sex with men is associated with sexual practices

• DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101426
• Publication Date: 2024-02-15T15:29:45Z
• Authors: Kun D. Huang; Lena Amend; Eric J.C. Gálvez; Till-Robin Lesker; Romulo de Oliveira; Agata Bielecka; Aitor Blanco-Míguez; Mireia Valles-Col...; Isabel Ruf; Edoardo Pasolli; Jan Buer; Nicola Segata; Stefan Esser; Till Strowig; Jan Kehrmann
• Keywords: Male; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Sexual Behavior; Microbiota; Medizin; Humans; Homosexuality, Male; Article; Gastrointestinal Microbiome

The human gut microbiota is influenced by various factors, including health status and environmental conditions, yet considerable inter-individual differences remain unexplained. Previous studies identified that the of men who have sex with (MSM) distinct from non-MSM. Here, we reveal through species-level analysis using shotgun metagenomics many MSM Western origin resembles microbial communities non-Westernized populations. Specifically, microbiomes are frequently dominated members Prevotellaceae family, co-colonization species Segatella copri complex unknown members. Questionnaire-based exploring in links specific sexual practices to composition. Moreover, machine learning identifies features associated activities MSM. Together, this study shows associations microbiome alterations MSM, which may a large impact on population-based studies.