Gut microbiota changes associated with chronic hepatitis B and C virus infection
Medical Review (Med. pregled), 2025, 61(3), 11-16.
S. Donev, V. Pencheva, D. Petrova, V. Yordanov
Department of Propaedeutics of Internal Diseases, UMHAT “Alexandrovska”; Medical Faculty, Medical University – Sofia
Abstract. One of the main questions in modern-day medicine is finding out the connection between human health and gut microbiome. Changes in the bacteria living in the colon cause the release of various metabolites that create pathological effects. The current review describes the main species of bacteria in the gut microbiome that are common in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C, including those with the infection and cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Trends in the change of the gut microflora in chronic hepatitis B and C are presented. It has been found that in chronic hepatitis B, the amount of the bacteria part of the genera Bacteroides and Firmicutes is reduced, and the bacteria part of the genus Proteobacteria is increased. In chronic hepatitis C, the bacteria part of genus Firmicutes increases, while there is no change in the bacteria part of genus Bacteroides. If the patients happen to become cirrhotic or acquire HCC during chronic hepatitis B and C, there is a decrease in genus Firmicutes. The gut microbiome can become a potential biomarker for diagnostics and evaluation of the severity of chronic hepatitis B and C infections. Tracking its changes can have prognostic value.
Key words: chronic hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C, gut microbiota, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma