Metagenomic analysis of human bile

Gallbladder disease includes inflammation, infection, stones or blockage of the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a sac located under the liver. It stores and concentrates bile produced in the liver. Bile aids in the digestion of fat and is released from the gallbladder into the upper small intestine in response to food (especially fats). The landscape of microorganisms inhabiting our gastrointestinal tract has been extensively studied during the last few years. Furthermore, we currently know that some biological fluids in different locations in our body also have an autochthonous microbiota that suffers alterations depending on the physiological state of the host. However, very little is known about the microbial inhabitants of human gallbladder and bile. In this study, we collected human bile samples by surgical methods and analysed the microbiome diversity.