Fecal Bacteria Alteration in Adult Obese Egyptian; Escherichia coli and Its Relationship with Body Composition and Blood Lipids

Aims: To evaluate the differences of culturable gut bacterial flora (aerobes and facultative anaerobes) in fecal samples of obese and normal weight groups of adult Egyptian, and to compare Escherichia coli number in both groups to determine whether alterations in blood lipid level, body mass index, fat percentage, and C-reactive protein can be explained by such obesity induced dysbiosis.

Study Design: Quantitative determination of fecal bacteria and anthropometric measurements were carried out in selected obese and normal weight subjects of adult Egyptian; in addition to the analysis of blood lipid levels and other biochemical parameters.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of biochemistry, department of microbiology and immunology, National Research Centre, between May 2016 and May 2017.

Methodology: We studied forty-seven female subjects over the age of 20. They were divided into two groups which were identified as obese group (BMI ≥30 kg m2), and control group (BMI 19 -25 kg m2). Twelve hour fasting blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis, fecal samples were collected in the morning for bacteria cultivation and E. coli colony counting. Anthropometric measurements were evaluated in all subjects.

Results: Data analysis revealed variations in gut flora composition (Clostridium, Enterococcus, Klebsiella, and E. coli), lipid profile, and C-reactive protein between obese and control groups. Moreover, it showed a significant increase in colonies of E. coli species in obese subject when compared with control (p 0.05) and a positive significant correlation between log number of E. coli and serum total lipids (r = 0.45; p 0.01), body weight (r = 0.4; p 0.02), chest circumference (r = 0.5; p 0.04 ), hip circumference (r = 0.4; p 0.03).

Conclusion: Our studies suggest that the gut bacteria, E. coli, may play an important role in body weight gain and blood lipid levels. Therefore our findings support the potential of therapies altering the gut microbiome to control metabolic disorders.