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Mycobiome of Stool, Blood, Thrombus and Vessel Wall in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Patients

Summary

This study examined fungal communities in blood, stool, and damaged aorta tissues from patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm, a serious condition where the main blood vessel weakens and bulges. Researchers found that healthy blood vessels contain protective fungi called Tomentella, while damaged vessels have high levels of harmful fungi called Malassezia. Interestingly, the fungi found in damaged vessel walls may not come directly from the gut, suggesting they originate from other body parts like the mouth or skin. These findings suggest that controlling fungal communities with targeted antifungal treatments might help prevent or slow aneurysm development.

Background

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening vascular condition characterized by inflammatory degeneration of the vessel wall. Emerging evidence suggests that microbial factors contribute to its progression. While bacterial microbiome composition has been studied in AAA, the role of the fungal microbiome remains largely unexplored.

Objective

To analyze the mycobiome composition of stool, blood, thrombus and damaged vessel wall samples from AAA patients to determine if fungi translocate from the gut to the vascular wall via a gut-blood-vessel wall axis, and to identify fungi with protective or detrimental roles in aneurysm development.

Results

Significant differences in alpha and beta diversity were observed across sample types, confirming compartmentalization of the mycobiome. Anti-inflammatory Tomentella dominated healthy vessel walls (20.94%), while pro-inflammatory Malassezia were prevalent in aneurysmal walls (28.9%). Individual fungal profiles did not establish a clear gut-blood-vessel wall axis.

Conclusion

Fungi play a significant role in AAA progression, with Tomentella associated with healthy vessel walls and Malassezia with pathological changes. The fungal origin in vessel walls may derive from anatomical sites other than the gut. Results suggest potential therapeutic applications of antifungal adjuvant treatments to mitigate inflammation.
  • Published in:Mycopathologia,
  • Study Type:Clinical observational study,
  • Source: PMID: 41042375, DOI: 10.1007/s11046-025-01002-z
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