The Microbiome and the Gastrointestinal Interventionalist

Introduction: The microbiome has recently attracted a great deal of attention, due to its expanding association with a host of health and disease processes. Microbiota includes the commensal, mutualistic, and pathogenic microorganisms inhabiting a biological environment. This exhibit will highlight the relevance of the microbiome to gastrointestinal interventions.

Content Organization:

1. Intersection with diagnostic management: Microbiota detection sensitivity in percutaneous abscess drainages versus blood cultures.

2. Intersection with clinical management: Studies of microbiota impact direct therapy measures.

3. Relationship to precision medicine: Microbiological composition in the gut varies vastly between patients and informs personalized approaches to care. Also, studies indicate that microbiome analysis has prognostic value for patient outcomes following interventional procedures.

4. Microbiome and catheter/device technology: In another application, studies of microbiota in catheters and prosthetic tissue/devices have led to the development of novel catheter technologies

Learning Points: Studies of microbiomes allow a greater understanding of biological local environments, which can better inform diagnostic and therapeutic care measures in the interventional setting. Such studies may also lead the way to more customized patient care.

No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).