How to navigate the many direct-to-consumer microbiota analyses and why to use them.

Daniele Salvi, Cristiano Spada, Stefania Piccirelli, Alexander Bertuccioli, Viviana Gerardi, Massimiliano Cazzaniga, Francesco DI Pierro, Nicola Zerbinati, Mariarosaria Matera, Ilaria Cavecchia, Cecilia L Pugliano, Paola Cesaro

Journal: Minerva gastroenterology 2025;71(2):160-169

PMID: 39688814

Free Full Text on Minerva Medica View on PubMed

Abstract

Gut microbiota analysis, until a few years ago an exclusive research tool, has recently begun to spread among doctors and nutritionists around the world as a means aimed at better understanding patient disorders. As often happens, the commercial push has literally exploded and today there are numerous companies that offer microbiota analysis of dubious quality and/or as a business appliance aimed at selling supplements and the like. For non-experts it can therefore be difficult to find one's way among the numerous proposals. In this article we try not only to list those characteristics that could perhaps help choose one test rather than another, but we also try to discuss what the purpose of a microbiota analysis should be and what meaning to give to the concepts of dysbiosis and eubiosis. A small clinical experience is also cited to support the hypotheses made.

Address: Department of Medicine and Technological Innovation, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy - [email protected].; Microbiota International Clinical Society (MICS), Turin, Italy - [email protected].; Scientific Department, Velleja Research, Milan, Italy - [email protected].; Microbiota International Clinical Society (MICS), Turin, Italy.; Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy.; Scientific Department, Velleja Research, Milan, Italy.; Microbiota International Clinical Society (MICS), Turin, Italy.; Department of Pediatric Emergencies, Misericordia Hospital, Grosseto, Italy.; Microbiota International Clinical Society (MICS), Turin, Italy.; Microbiomic Department, Koelliker Hospital, Turin, Italy.; Digestive Endoscopy and Gastroenterology Department, Fondazione Poliambulanza, Brescia, Italy.; Unit of Digestive Endoscopy, IRCCS A. Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation, Rome, Italy.; Department of Medicine and Technological Innovation, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.

DOI: 10.23736/S2724-5985.24.03799-9

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https://www.minervamedica.it/index2.t?show=R08Y202...

Research Materials:

https://antibodies.cancer.gov/detail/CPTC-HLA-B-1

MeSH Terms: Humans, Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Dysbiosis, Direct-To-Consumer Screening and Testing