Lack of short-chain fatty acids and overgrowth of opportunistic pathogens define dysbiosis of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: A Chinese pilot study

BACKGROUND: Intestinal microbiota is an important environmental factor in the initiation and progression of autoimmune diseases. However, investigations on the gut microbiome in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are relatively insufficient, especially for that of the Asia population. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether or not the intestinal microbiota of NMOSD patients had specific microbial signatures. METHODS: = 54). RESULTS: < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The fecal organismal structures and SCFAs level of patients with NMOSD were distinctive from healthy individuals. These findings not only could be critical events driving the aberrant immune response responsible for the pathogenesis of these disorders but could also provide suggestions for disease therapy.