Changes In The Gut Microbiota After Hepatitis C Virus Eradication

The gut microbiota interacts with infectious diseases and affects host immunity. It has also been reported that liver disease is associated with changes in the gut microbiota. To investigate changes in the gut microbiota before and after eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) by direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), we investigated 42 samples from 14 CHC patients who received DAA therapy for HCV. Faecal samples were obtained before treatment (Pre), when treatment ended (EOT), and 24 weeks after treatment ended (Post24). The target V3–4 region of the 16S rRNA gene from faecal samples was amplified using the Illumina Miseq sequencing platform. The diversity of the gut microbiota did not differ significantly between Pre, EOT, and Post24. PCoA analysis showed that for each patient, the values at Pre, EOT, and Post 24 were concentrated within a small area. LEfSe analysis showed that the relative abundances of Faecalibacterium and Bacillus were increased at EOT and further increased at Post24, and these genera were significantly increased at Post24 compared to Pre. These results suggest that changes in the gut microbiota need to be considered as among the various effects on living organisms observed after HCV elimination.