Metagenomic analysis of microbiome involved in ocular surface stabilization

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18342
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56060:Ophthalmology-related
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Asao Kazunobu 大阪大学, 大学院医学系研究科, 寄附講座助教 (80866533)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: microbiome / metagenomic analysis / endophthalmitis / MALT lymphoma

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Metagenomic analysis was performed to investigate the fungal differences. Fifty eyes of conjunctival MALT lymphoma and 50 eyes of healthy volunteers were included. At the conjunctiva in conjunctival MALT lymphoma, decrease in diversity and higher prevalence of Malassezia were detected. Patients with conjunctival MALT lymphoma have a significantly higher frequency of allergic conjunctivitis(P=0.0343) and tear mucin concentrations were significantly lower(P=0.0368). Fungal dysbiosis may be involved in the pathogenesis of conjunctival MALT lymphoma.
6 consecutive treatment-naive patients with endophthalmitis were recruited and cultures were positive in all cases. The isolated pathogens were 5 bacteria and one fungus. Pathogens from the metagenomic analysis were consistent with culture results at the species level. This analysis can detect pathogens in the short term, resulting in an accurate diagnosis, appropriate selection of antibiotics.

Free Research Field

metagenomic analysis

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

メタゲノム解析を用いて眼表面疾患、眼感染症疾患におけるバイオームの同定を行った。疾患発症の原因が明らかではない結膜MALTリンパ腫では真菌叢変化、眼環境の変化を示すことができた。真菌叢変化の同定は治療介入の指標となり、予防治療へと繋がる可能性がある。
緊急疾患である眼感染症疾患である眼内炎において、メタゲノム解析で起炎菌の同定を行ったところ、培養で同定された起炎菌との一致が見られた。この結果は、メタゲノム解析は感染症疾患における起炎菌の同定方法として新たな選択肢となり、引いては適切な抗生剤選択に繋がる可能性を示すことができた。