Abstract
BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a long-term bowel inflammation of unknown cause. Recent research points to gut microbiota, especially Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF), in UC's development. This study examined the presence of Bacteroides fragilis (B. fragilis) and ETBF in the saliva of UC patients and Healthy Controls (HCs) in Iran. METHODS: A total of 40 UC patients and 40 healthy controls were included in the study. Saliva samples were collected and analyzed for the presence of B. fragilis and ETBF using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: B. fragilis was more prevalent in HCs (70%) than UC patients (67.5%), but not significantly (p = 0.809). ETBF was significantly more prevalent in UC patients (50%) than HCs (10%) (p < 0.0001). The mean count of B. fragilis was higher in UC patients, but not significantly (p = 0.47). However, the mean count of ETBF was significantly higher in UC patients (p = 0.000089). In terms of gender, the number of B. fragilis in women was not significant (p = 0.16), but the number of ETBF was significantly higher in women with UC (p = 0.000458). For men, no significant differences were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggest a higher prevalence of B. fragilis observed in UC patients compared to HCs. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore potential mechanisms underlying this association.