Eggerthella is a genus of bacteria that comprises various species, some of which can influence human health and occasionally cause disease. Here is an overview of how Eggerthella interacts with human health:
- Opportunistic infections: Some species, like Eggerthella lenta, can cause opportunistic infections, primarily affecting immunocompromised individuals or people with underlying health conditions. These infections may involve the bloodstream, abdominal cavity, or other organs.1Wong D, Aoki F, Rubinstein E. Bacteremia caused by Eggerthella lenta in an elderly man with a gastrointestinal malignancy: A case report. Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol. 2014 Sep;25(5):e85-6. doi: 10.1155/2014/802481.2Wang J, Guo R, Ma W, Dong X, Yan S, Xie W. Eggerthella lenta Bacteremia in a Middle-Aged Healthy Man with Acute Hepatic Abscess: Case Report and Literature Review, 1970-2020. Infect Drug Resist. 2021 Aug 19;14:3307-3318. doi: 10.2147/IDR.S321282.3Nagaoka R, Kitagawa H, Koba Y, Tadera K, Hara T, Kashiyama S, Nomura T, Omori K, Shigemoto N, Yokozaki M, Ohge H. Clinical and microbiological characteristics of Eggerthella lenta bacteremia at a Japanese tertiary hospital. J Infect Chemother. 2021 Aug;27(8):1261-1264. doi: 10.1016/j.jiac.2021.03.019.
- Antibiotic resistance: Eggerthella species may exhibit antibiotic resistance, making treatment of infections more challenging. Effective therapy often involves a combination of antimicrobials, taking into account the specific susceptibilities of the infecting strain.4Gardiner BJ, Tai AY, Kotsanas D, Francis MJ, Roberts SA, Ballard SA, Junckerstorff RK, Korman TM. Clinical and microbiological characteristics of Eggerthella lenta bacteremia. J Clin Microbiol. 2015 Feb;53(2):626-35. doi: 10.1128/JCM.02926-14.5Liderot K, Ratcliffe P, Lüthje P, Thidholm E, Özenci V. Microbiological diagnosis of Eggerthella lenta blood culture isolates in a Swedish tertiary hospital: Rapid identification and antimicrobial susceptibility profile. Anaerobe. 2016 Apr;38:21-24. doi: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2015.11.005.
- Drug metabolism: Eggerthella lenta has been shown to break down certain medications, such as the cardiac drug digoxin. This may impact drug efficacy and require careful monitoring of drug levels in affected people.6Haiser HJ, Seim KL, Balskus EP, Turnbaugh PJ. Mechanistic insight into digoxin inactivation by Eggerthella lenta augments our understanding of its pharmacokinetics. Gut Microbes. 2014 Mar-Apr;5(2):233-8. doi: 10.4161/gmic.27915.7Kumar K, Jaiswal SK, Dhoke GV, Srivastava GN, Sharma AK, Sharma VK. Mechanistic and structural insight into promiscuity based metabolism of cardiac drug digoxin by gut microbial enzyme. J Cell Biochem. 2018 Jul;119(7):5287-5296. doi: 10.1002/jcb.26638.
In summary, Eggerthella plays a role in human health, with most species causing opportunistic infections. Understanding and addressing the risks associated with the presence of Eggerthella species in your microbiome sample is vital for protecting the delicate balance of your gut microbial ecosystem.
Where to find Eggerthella in the Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Test
You will find your Eggerthella scores in the “Pathogens” report in your Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Test results. Guidance on how to work with pathogens like Eggerthella will be featured in your Personal Action Plan. Please note that this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP or other qualified health provider if you have any questions about Eggerthella.
Synonyms: Eggerthella lenta, E. lenta, Eggerthella infection, Eggerthella species
Important disclaimer
The Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Handbook is an educational resource built to translate complex science into plain English. The information provided on this page is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Always check with your GP for interactions with medications/health conditions before changing your diet or starting to take food supplements.
References
- 1Wong D, Aoki F, Rubinstein E. Bacteremia caused by Eggerthella lenta in an elderly man with a gastrointestinal malignancy: A case report. Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol. 2014 Sep;25(5):e85-6. doi: 10.1155/2014/802481.
- 2Wang J, Guo R, Ma W, Dong X, Yan S, Xie W. Eggerthella lenta Bacteremia in a Middle-Aged Healthy Man with Acute Hepatic Abscess: Case Report and Literature Review, 1970-2020. Infect Drug Resist. 2021 Aug 19;14:3307-3318. doi: 10.2147/IDR.S321282.
- 3Nagaoka R, Kitagawa H, Koba Y, Tadera K, Hara T, Kashiyama S, Nomura T, Omori K, Shigemoto N, Yokozaki M, Ohge H. Clinical and microbiological characteristics of Eggerthella lenta bacteremia at a Japanese tertiary hospital. J Infect Chemother. 2021 Aug;27(8):1261-1264. doi: 10.1016/j.jiac.2021.03.019.
- 4Gardiner BJ, Tai AY, Kotsanas D, Francis MJ, Roberts SA, Ballard SA, Junckerstorff RK, Korman TM. Clinical and microbiological characteristics of Eggerthella lenta bacteremia. J Clin Microbiol. 2015 Feb;53(2):626-35. doi: 10.1128/JCM.02926-14.
- 5Liderot K, Ratcliffe P, Lüthje P, Thidholm E, Özenci V. Microbiological diagnosis of Eggerthella lenta blood culture isolates in a Swedish tertiary hospital: Rapid identification and antimicrobial susceptibility profile. Anaerobe. 2016 Apr;38:21-24. doi: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2015.11.005.
- 6Haiser HJ, Seim KL, Balskus EP, Turnbaugh PJ. Mechanistic insight into digoxin inactivation by Eggerthella lenta augments our understanding of its pharmacokinetics. Gut Microbes. 2014 Mar-Apr;5(2):233-8. doi: 10.4161/gmic.27915.
- 7Kumar K, Jaiswal SK, Dhoke GV, Srivastava GN, Sharma AK, Sharma VK. Mechanistic and structural insight into promiscuity based metabolism of cardiac drug digoxin by gut microbial enzyme. J Cell Biochem. 2018 Jul;119(7):5287-5296. doi: 10.1002/jcb.26638.
