Abstract
BACKGROUND: The gut microbiome is crucial for human health maintenance and disease development, yet limited understanding of its structure and maintenance hinders effective microbiome-based health improvement strategies. We investigated gut microbiome compositional patterns in healthy Koreans (n = 890), identifying six clusters (I-VI) with unique compositions and host preferences. RESULTS: Each cluster had a distinct topological structure within the microbial interaction network, underscoring its diverse roles in maintaining microbial communities. Cluster II, predominated by Bacteroides and Faecalibacterium, was consistently found across individuals and centrally located within the microbial interaction network. Cluster III, mainly composed of Oscillospira and Coprococcus, and IV, dominated by Enterobacteriaceae and Bacteroides fragilis, demonstrated mutually exclusive relationships, reflecting affinities for host clusters with varied dietary patterns and microbial diversity. Clusters V and VI linked different microbial clusters, and cluster I had separate subcommunities. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals intricate structures and interactions within microbial communities, offering insights into the gut microbiome ecology and guiding health enhancement strategies.