Ethanol-Producing Enterocloster bolteae Is Enriched in Chronic Hepatitis B-Associated Gut Dysbiosis: A Case–Control Culturomics Study

Abstract

Culturomics allowed us to identify <i>Enterocloster</i> species, specifically, <i>E. bolteae</i>, enriched in the gut microbiota of patients with chronic HBV. These species had never been isolated in chronic HBV infection before. Moreover, ethanol production by <i>E. bolteae</i> strains isolated from the chronic HBV group could contribute to liver disease progression. Additionally, culturomics might be critical for better elucidating the relationship between dysbiosis and chronic HBV infection in the future.