Dorea

Role in Gut Ecosystem#

Part of the Lachnospiraceae family, one of the most abundant bacterial families in the human colon, involved in complex carbohydrate fermentation. D. formicigenerans is the best-characterized species; it produces formate as a primary metabolic end-product, distinguishing it from Butyrate-producing relatives like Roseburia and Coprococcus.

D. longicatena produces hydrogen gas (H2), which can feed hydrogenotrophic organisms including Methanobrevibacter and sulfate-reducing bacteria. Also produces acetate and minor amounts of other Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs).

Multiple Sclerosis#

Consistently enriched in MS patients, particularly during relapse phases, alongside Blautia.^{[1]The Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis in Multiple SclerosisDusan Radojevic, Svetlana Sokovic Bajic, Miroslav Dinic et al. · 2023Open reference 1 ↓}

In the Saresella 2020 study, Dorea was decreased in SPMS compared to RRMS, suggesting it may track with active inflammatory disease rather than progressive neurodegeneration.^{[2]Alterations in Circulating Fatty Acid Are Associated With Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis and Inflammation in Multiple SclerosisMarina Saresella, Ivana Marventano, Monica Barone et al. · 2020Open reference 2 ↓}

Atrial fibrillation causally affects Dorea abundance in bidirectional MR analysis, indicating that cardiovascular pathology can alter this genus.^{[3]Assessment of the causal relationship between gut microbiota and cardiovascular diseases: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysisXiao-Ce Dai, Yi Yu, Si-Yu Zhou et al. · 2024Open reference 3 ↓}

Autism Spectrum Disorder#

Increased in Autism Spectrum Disorder youth across multiple observational reviews in the Romano 2023 umbrella review.^{[4]Romano 2023 — Gut Microbiome in Children with Mood, Anxiety, and NDDs: Umbrella ReviewKaitlin Romano, Ashka N. Shah, Anett Schumacher et al. · 2023Open reference 4 ↓}

Part of the Lachnospiraceae enrichment pattern seen in ASD, contrasting with depletion of other family members like Coprococcus.

Key Metabolites#

Formate—primary fermentation product of D. formicigenerans; substrate for other gut microbes. Hydrogen gas (H2)—produced by D. longicatena; feeds methanogens and sulfate reducers. Acetate—secondary fermentation product.

Mechanistic Considerations#

The enrichment of Dorea in MS may relate to its role in H2 production, which supports methane-producing Methanobrevibacter—also elevated in MS. Formate production may influence one-carbon metabolism pathways relevant to immune cell proliferation and epigenetic regulation.

As a Lachnospiraceae member that does not produce butyrate, Dorea enrichment in disease may reflect competitive displacement of butyrate-producing relatives within the same ecological niche.