Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) modulate the progression of cirrhosis to hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and can affect the bacterial microbiome. However, the impact of PPI on the virome in cirrhosis using viral-like particle (VLP) analysis is unclear. METHODS: We determined the VLP in the stool microbiome in patients with cirrhosis cross-sectionally (ascites, HE, and PPI use analyzed) who were followed up for 6-month hospitalizations and through 2 clinical trials of PPI withdrawal and initiation. RESULTS: In a cross-sectional study, PPI users had greater ascites prevalence and 6-month hospitalizations, but VLP α diversity was similar. Among phages, PPI users had lower Autographviridae and higher Streptococcus phages and Herelleviridae than nonusers, whereas opposite trends were seen in ascites and HE. Trends of eukaryotic viruses (higher Adenoviridae and lower Virgaviridae/Smacoviridae) were similar for PPI, HE, and ascites. Twenty-one percent were hospitalized, mostly due to HE. α Diversity was similar in the hospitalized/nonhospitalized/not groups. Higher Gokushovirinae and lower crAssphages were related to hospitalizations such as HE-related cross-sectional VLP changes. As part of the clinical trial, PPIs were added and withdrawn in 2 different decompensated groups over 14 days. No changes in α diversity were observed. Withdrawal reduced crAssphages, and initiation reduced Gokushovirinae and Bacteroides phages. DISCUSSION: In cirrhosis, PPI use has a gut microbial VLP phage signature that is different from that in HE and ascites, and VLP changes are linked with hospitalizations over 6 months, independent of clinical biomarkers. Eukaryotic viral patterns were consistent across PPI use, HE, and ascites, indicating a relationship with the progression of cirrhosis. PPIs alone showed modest VLP changes with withdrawal or initiation. Distinct phage and eukaryotic viral patterns are associated with the use of PPIs in cirrhosis.