Bile reflux alters the profile of the gastric mucosa microbiota

BackgroundBile reflux can cause inflammation, gastric mucosa atrophy, and diseases such as stomach cancer. Alkaline bile flowing back into the stomach affects the intragastric environment and can alter the gastric bacterial community. We sought to identify the characteristics of the stomach mucosal microbiota in patients with bile reflux. MethodsGastric mucosal samples were collected from 52 and 40 chronic gastritis patients with and without bile reflux, respectively. The bacterial profile was determined using 16S rRNA gene analysis. ResultsIn the absence of H. pylori infection, the richness (based on the Sobs and Chao1 indices; P