The gut microbiome and inflammation in obsessive-compulsive disorder patients compared to age- and sex-matched controls: a pilot study

Objective To compare the gut microbiome profile (by way of taxon analysis and indices of beta- and alpha-diversity) and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein [CRP], interleukin-6[IL-6] and tumour necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha]) of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) outpatients and non-psychiatric community controls. Methods We collected morning stool and blood samples from 21 non-depressed, medication-free OCD patients and 22 age- and sex-matched non-psychiatric community controls. Microbiota analysis was performed using Illumina sequencing of the V3 region of 16S rRNA; serum CRP samples were analysed using immunoturbidimetry and plasma IL-6/TNF-alpha were examined by high-sensitivity ELISA. Multiple comparisons were corrected for using the false discovery rate (alpha = 0.05). Results Compared to controls, the OCD group presented lower species richness/evenness (alpha-diversity, Inverse Simpson) and lower relative abundance of three butyrate producing genera (Oscillospira, Odoribacter and Anaerostipes). Compared to controls, mean CRP, but not IL-6 and TNF-alpha, was elevated OCD patients. CRP revealed moderate to strong associations with psychiatric symptomatology. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first investigation of the gut microbiome in OCD. In addition, our findings lend further support for the potential association of inflammation and OCD. These results suggest the gut microbiome may be a potential pathway of interest for future OCD research.