Bilophila

Hydrogen Utilization#

Uses H2 as an energy source via Hydrogenase enzymes, positioning it within the gut hydrogen economy. H2 consumption by B. wadsworthia can shift the thermodynamics of fermentation by other gut bacteria, influencing overall community metabolism.

Iron and Molybdenum Dependencies#

The dissimilatory sulfite reductase (DsrAB) that generates H2S contains iron-sulfur clusters, making B. wadsworthia dependent on Iron availability. Taurine dehydrogenase requires a Molybdenum cofactor, linking its pathogenic metabolism to trace metal availability.

Colorectal Cancer#

Significantly more abundant in uninvolved colonic mucosa of CRC cases versus controls among African American/Black individuals.^{[1]Design of the Building Research in CRC Prevention (BRIDGE-CRC) Trial: A 6-Month, Parallel Group Mediterranean Diet and Weight Loss Randomized Controlled Lifestyle Intervention Targeting the Bile Acid-Gut Microbiome Axis to Reduce Colorectal Cancer Risk Among African American/Black Adults with ObesityAndrew McLeod, Patricia Wolf, Robert S. Chapkin et al. · 2023Open reference 1 ↓} H2S production dampens butyrate metabolism in colonocytes, creating a pro-tumorigenic environment.

Mediterranean diet intervention aims to reduce B. wadsworthia abundance by shifting bile acid conjugation patterns away from taurine.

Multiple Sclerosis#

Enriched in MS progressors (patients with worsening disability) and significantly stratifies disease progression risk in Kaplan-Meier analysis.^{[2]Identification of commensal gut microbiota signatures as predictors of clinical severity and disease progression in multiple sclerosisTheresa L. Montgomery, Qin Wang, Ali Mirza et al. · 2024Open reference 2 ↓} As a sulfate-reducing bacterium producing H2S, it may drive Oxidative Stress and inflammation in the Gut-Brain Axis.

May thrive in metal-rich environments, connecting MS progression to environmental metal exposure.

Cardiovascular Disease#

Correlated with altered lipid metabolites (traumatic acid) in viral myocarditis models.^{[3]Altered colonic microflora and its metabolic profile in mice with acute viral myocarditis induced by coxsackievirus B3Yimin Xue, Shirong Lin, Mingguang Chen et al. · 2024Open reference 3 ↓} Hypertension MR studies show decreased Bilophila in hypertensive individuals.^{[4]Causality of gut microbiome and hypertension: A bidirectional mendelian randomization studyYihui Li, Ru Fu, Ruixuan Li et al. · 2023Open reference 4 ↓}

IBD#

Enriched in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), where its H2S production exacerbates mucosal inflammation. Taurine-rich diets (high in animal protein) promote B. wadsworthia expansion and colitis in susceptible hosts.

Other Conditions#

Arsenic exposure increases Bilophila abundance and perturbs bile acid homeostasis.^{[5]Toxic and Essential Metals: Metabolic Interactions with the Gut Microbiota and Health ImplicationsQinheng Zhu, Boyan Chen, Fu Zhang et al. · 2024Open reference 5 ↓} Altered in Autism Spectrum Disorder gut mycobiome-bacteriome interaction studies.^{[6]Strati 2017 — New Evidences on the Altered Gut Microbiota in Autism Spectrum DisordersFrancesco Strati, Duccio Cavalieri, Davide Albanese et al. · 2017Open reference 6 ↓} Decreased in Huntington's disease.^{[7]Effects of gut microbiota on neurodegenerative diseasesKhatoon S, Kalam N, Rashid S et al. · 2023Open reference 7 ↓}

Dietary Modulation#

The abundance of B. wadsworthia is highly responsive to diet. Increased by: high-saturated-fat diets, high-taurine diets (animal protein), Western-style diets. Decreased by: Mediterranean diet, plant-based diets, high-fiber diets that shift bile acid profiles toward glycine conjugation.