Hidden strains of common gut bacteria linked to disease can travel worldwide in decades
Researchers at the University of Vienna discovered distinct sub-populations within familiar gut bacteria that are tied to ageing, colorectal cancer, IBD and type-2 diabetes, and can spread across continents within a few decades.
A study led by the University of Vienna applied reverse-ecology analysis to large collections of gut bacterial isolates and worldwide metagenomic datasets, uncovering hidden evolutionary lineages within common species. These lineages display genome-wide selective sweeps, indicating recent advantageous mutations, and are differentially linked to advanced age, colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and type-2 diabetes.
The researchers further identified that certain competitive strains have expanded across continents in only a few decades, demonstrating rapid, non-pathogenic bacterial spread. Lead author Xiaoqian Annie Yu emphasized that accounting for such adaptation improves the precision of microbiome-disease associations. Study leader Martin F. Polz noted that these dynamics suggest person-to-person transmission influences gut composition. Future work will pinpoint the genetic traits that distinguish these populations and explore targeted microbiome therapies.
Why it matters
Understanding distinct gut bacterial strains and their spread can refine disease biomarkers and guide more precise microbiome-based treatments.
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