Abstract
PURPOSE: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with genetic, immune, and microbial factors. The role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of AS is increasingly recognized, with studies suggesting that intestinal dysfunction may trigger systemic inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the gut microbiota profiles of AS patients from Southern China and explore the relationship between gut microbiota and the occurrence and development of AS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled 30 AS patients and 25 healthy controls from the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. Fecal samples were collected, and DNA was extracted for 16S rDNA sequencing to analyze the V3-V4 variable regions. Bioinformatic processing and statistical analysis were performed to assess the microbial community structure, diversity, and function. RESULTS: The study revealed significant differences in gut microbiota composition between AS patients and healthy controls. AS patients exhibited a decrease in beneficial bacteria such as Firmicutes and Actinobacteria and an increase in harmful bacteria like Proteobacteria and Enterobacteriaceae. The functional prediction of gut microbiota indicated significant metabolic pathway alterations, particularly in energy metabolism, degradation metabolism, and nucleotide metabolism, which may be linked to the pathophysiology of AS. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the gut microbiota of Han Chinese AS patients in Guangdong Province is characterized by a decrease in beneficial bacterial communities and an increase in harmful ones, potentially contributing to AS progression through intestinal barrier disruption and intensified inflammatory responses. These findings provide a theoretical basis for developing new intervention strategies targeting the gut microbiota.