Analysis of the diversity of intestinal microbiome and its potential value as a biomarker in patients with schizophrenia: A cohort study

Exploring the gut microbiota characteristics of patients with acute and remission schizophrenia (SCZ) and evaluating the potential of the gut microbiome as a non-invasive biomarker for SCZ. A total of 87 fecal samples were collected, including a total of 58 samples from 29 SCZ patients over two different periods (remission and onset period) and 29 samples from the control group for 16S rRNA Miseq.The changes of intestinal microbiota in SCZ patients from remission to onset were analyzed, and a random forest model was constructed to recognize biomarkers. The optimal three genus-level diagnosis biomarkers were identified through an AUC validation on a random forest model, furthermore, an AUC of 0.76 (95% CI (0.63, 0.89)) was achieved between 29 aSCZ and 29 HCs. Compared with the control group, the first 11 OUT-level’ biomarkers were identified in rSCZ group. As a status marker of the disease, the AUC of 0.7 (95% CI (0.56, 0.84)) was achieved between 29 rSCZ and 29 HCs. There were differences between SCZ patients and HCs, acute and remission patients as well, suggesting that the potential of the gut microbiota as a non-invasive diagnostic tool. Moreover, the features of the gut microbiome of SCZ provide clues for disease prognosis assessment and targeted intervention.