Abstract

PurposeDecreased gut microbiota production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) has been implicated in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) disease progression. Most microbiome studies focus on ethnic majorities. This study aims to understand microbiome differences between an ethnic majority (the Dutch) and minority (the South-Asian Surinamese (SAS)) group with a lower and higher prevalence of T2DM, respectively. MethodsMicrobiome data from the Healthy Life in an Urban Setting (HELIUS) cohort were used. The 16S rRNA V4 region was sequenced. Two age- and gender-matched groups were compared: the Dutch (n = 41) and SAS (n = 43). Microbial compositions were generated via DADA2. Alpha and beta-diversity and Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) were computed. DESeq2 differential bacterial abundance and LEfSe biomarker analyses were performed to determine discriminating features. Co-occurrence networks were constructed to examine gut ecology. ResultsA tight cluster of bacterial abundances was observed in the Dutch women, which overlapped with some of the SAS microbiomes. The Dutch gut contained a more interconnected microbial ecology, whereas the SAS network was dispersed. Bacteroides caccae, Butyricicoccus, Alistipes putredinis, Coprococcus comes, Odoribacter splanchnicus, and Lachnospira characterized the Dutch gut. Haemophilus, Bifidobacterium, and Anaerostipes hadrus characterized the SAS gut. All but Lachnospira and certain strains of Haemophilus are known SCFA producers. ConclusionThe Dutch gut microbiome was distinguished from the SAS by diverse, differentially abundant SCFA-producing taxa with significant cooperation. The dynamic ecology observed in the Dutch was lost in the SAS. The higher prevalence of T2DM in the SAS may be associated with the dysbiosis observed.