Notable intestinal dysbiosis orchestrated by Escherichia/Shigella, decreased levels of SCFTA (short chain fatty acids) and alterations in metabolic pathways characterize patients with alcohol-decompensated cirrhosis in western Mexico

To evaluate the composition and functions of the intestinal microbiota in patients with alcohol-decompensated cirrhosis. Fecal samples of eighteen patients and eighteen healthy controls (HC) were obtained. Microbial composition was characterized by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, SCFAs quantification was performed by gas chromatography (GC), metagenomic predictive profiles were analyzed by PICRUSt2. Gut microbiota in the cirrhosis group revealed a significant increase in the pathogenic genera Escherichia/Shigella and Prevotella, a decrease in beneficial bacteria, such as Blautia, Faecalibacterium, plus a decreased α-diversity (p