Effects of fecal microbiota transplantation on the abundance and diversity of selected fungal and archaeal species in the gut microbiota in the rat model of schizophrenia

TL;DR

This study explores how fecal microbiota transplantation affects gut fungi and archaea in a rat model of schizophrenia, finding limited impact from the procedure.

Contribution

The study is among the first to investigate FMT's effects on specific fungal and archaeal species in a schizophrenia rat model.

Findings

C. tropicalis colonization increased to nearly 100% post-FMT across all groups, suggesting natural maturation.

Malassezia spp. abundance declined after FMT and placebo, indicating procedural effects rather than FMT-specific changes.

Archaeal species like Methanobrevibacter smithii were absent in all samples.

Abstract

The gut microbiome has been increasingly recognized for its potential role in schizophrenia through gut-brain interactions involving immune, neural, and metabolic pathways. This pilot study evaluated the impact of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on the abundance and variability of selected fungal and archaeal species in the gut microbiota in the rat model of schizophrenia.

Sprague-Dawley rats using as a prenatal methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM-E17) model of schizophrenia underwent FMT or placebo. Fecal DNA was extracted and analyzed via quantitative Real-Time PCR (qPCR) to quantify selected fungi (Candida tropicalis, Malassezia spp., Cryptococcus neoformans) and archaea (Methanobrevibacter smithii, Methanosphaera stadtmanae) before and after intervention

A slightly higher prevalence of C. tropicalis was noted in MAM-exposed rats compared to healthy controls (19% vs. 10%). Post-FMT, C. tropicalis colonization increased to nearly 100% across all groups, irrespective of transplantation source, indicating natural microbiome maturation rather than FMT effect. Malassezia spp. were commonly present before treatment, with their abundance significantly declining after both FMT and placebo administration, suggesting procedural impacts rather than specific FMT effects. C. neoformans and methanogenic archaea were absent.

Overall, the results suggest that FMT has limited impact on gut fungal populations, possibly due to the developmental stage of microbiome maturation or procedural interventions. The absence of archaea underscores the complexity of the microbiome’s role in neurodevelopmental disorders, highlighting the necessity for continued research into microbial influences on schizophrenia pathophysiology.

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