.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
Blautia spp.
Blautia spp. is a beneficial genus of Gram-positive, anaerobic bacteria that plays a key role in gut health, metabolism, and immune regulation.
With potential probiotic properties, Blautia species help manage conditions like obesity, insulin resistance, and inflammatory diseases, making their presence in the microbiome essential for overall wellness.
What is Blautia spp.?
Blautia spp. is an anaerobic, Gram-positive bacterial genus found in the intestines of mammals, including humans. It is important for host health, particularly in managing metabolic disorders and inflammatory diseases.
Comprising at least 20 species, Blautia is studied for its probiotic potential, including its ability to alleviate obesity, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce inflammation.
Blautia species, such as B. coccoides, B. hansenii, and B. wexlerae, metabolize carbohydrates into beneficial short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), like acetic acid, which help regulate metabolism and immune function.
They also aid in biotransforming bioactive compounds like polyphenols and flavonoids, enhancing their health benefits. However, Blautia can also produce harmful secondary bile acids in some biotransformations.
Research highlights B. producta as a potential supportive bacterial strain for hyperlipidemia: its metabolites, particularly 12-methylmyristic acid (12-MMA), activate GPR120, a receptor involved in lipid and glucose regulation. This suggests Blautia’s role in supporting healthy lipid levels, even without the need for colonization.
Blautia's involvement in inflammatory diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), shows its immune-regulating benefits, although its levels may rise in conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and colorectal cancer.
The genus is also vital for colonic mucus function, especially under low-fiber diets, by producing SCFAs that promote mucus growth, which helps maintain gut barrier integrity.
Emerging evidence suggests that Blautia spp. may help reduce the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes by influencing glucose metabolism.
Overall, Blautia's probiotic potential is significant, but further research is needed to fully understand its mechanisms and clinical applications.
When to Test for Blautia spp.
Testing for Blautia spp. may be appropriate in several clinical situations:
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Patients with chronic gastrointestinal conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), may benefit from Blautia spp. testing to understand their gut microbiome and its role in symptom management.
Metabolic Health
Individuals with metabolic conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes, or insulin resistance can benefit from a more detailed gut microbiome analysis, including Blautia spp., to assess their gut’s role in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism.
Immune System Disorders
Patients with chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases or compromised immune systems could gain insights from Blautia spp. testing, as these bacteria help regulate immune function.
Health Optimization
For health-conscious individuals or patients looking to optimize gut health and prevent chronic diseases, Blautia spp. testing can offer valuable data on the microbiome's impact on overall wellness.
Testing for Blautia spp.: Procedure and Interpretation
Testing for Blautia spp. is typically done through stool sample analysis. This test can be conducted using various methods, such as PCR, next-generation sequencing (NGS), or culture-based techniques.
A stool sample is collected and analyzed to quantify the presence of Blautia spp. and assess its relative abundance compared to other gut bacteria.
Always consult the ordering provider or laboratory company prior to sample collection, as special preparation, such as avoiding antibiotics or probiotics, may be necessary in the days leading up to sample collection.
Normal Reference Range
Normal reference ranges for Blautia spp. can vary based on the laboratory and the microbiome composition of the healthy population. Generally, the goal is to maintain a balanced ratio of Blautia spp. alongside other beneficial gut flora.
Clinical Significance of Elevated Levels
Higher levels of Blautia spp. are generally associated with positive health outcomes, particularly in relation to gut health and metabolic regulation.
Higher Blautia spp. levels can indicate a well-functioning gut barrier, reduced inflammation, and improved overall gut health. Specifically, these bacteria help regulate glucose metabolism, which may reduce the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. They also play a protective role against infections by supporting a balanced gut microbiome.
While the research generally supports benefits with Blautia spp. prevalence, maintaining a balance of commensal bacteria in the microbiome is generally recommended.
Clinical Significance of Decreased Levels
Low levels are associated with compromised gut health, inflammation, and a higher risk of metabolic and immune-related conditions.
A decrease in Blautia spp. may be associated with gut barrier dysfunction and chronic low-grade inflammation. Gut barrier dysfunction has been observed in patients with obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and autoimmune disorders.
Order Microbiome Testing
Click here to compare testing options and order testing for microbiome balance.
Benítez-Páez, A., Gómez del Pugar, E. M., López-Almela, I., Moya-Pérez, Á., Codoñer-Franch, P., & Sanz, Y. (2020). Depletion of Blautia Species in the Microbiota of Obese Children Relates to Intestinal Inflammation and Metabolic Phenotype Worsening. MSystems, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.1128/msystems.00857-19
den Besten, G., van Eunen, K., Groen, A. K., Venema, K., Reijngoud, D. J., & Bakker, B. M. (2013). The role of short-chain fatty acids in the interplay between diet, gut microbiota, and host energy metabolism. Journal of lipid research, 54(9), 2325–2340. https://doi.org/10.1194/jlr.R036012
Germano, R., Carolina, A., Fernandes, G., Francieli Barreiro Ribeiro, Solar, I., Marina Rodrigues Barbosa, Bianca, Geloneze, B., & Roberta, S. (2022). Associations of Blautia Genus With Early-Life Events and Later Phenotype in the NutriHS. 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2022.838750
Holmberg, S. M., Feeney, R. H., Prasoodanan P. K., V., Puértolas-Balint, F., Singh, D. K., Wongkuna, S., Zandbergen, L., Hauner, H., Brandl, B., Nieminen, A. I., Skurk, T., & Schroeder, B. O. (2024). The gut commensal Blautia maintains colonic mucus function under low-fiber consumption through secretion of short-chain fatty acids. Nature Communications, 15(1), 3502. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-47594-w
Jenq, R. R., Taur, Y., Devlin, S. M., Ponce, D. M., Goldberg, J. D., Ahr, K. F., Littmann, E. R., Ling, L., Gobourne, A. C., Miller, L. C., Docampo, M. D., Peled, J. U., Arpaia, N., Cross, J. R., Peets, T. K., Lumish, M. A., Shono, Y., Dudakov, J. A., Poeck, H., Hanash, A. M., … van den Brink, M. R. (2015). Intestinal Blautia Is Associated with Reduced Death from Graft-versus-Host Disease. Biology of blood and marrow transplantation : journal of the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, 21(8), 1373–1383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbmt.2015.04.016
Liu, X., Mao, B., Gu, J., Wu, J., Cui, S., Wang, G., Zhao, J., Zhang, H., & Chen, W. (2021). Blautia-a new functional genus with potential probiotic properties?. Gut microbes, 13(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/19490976.2021.1875796
Liu, X. F., Shao, J. H., Liao, Y. T., Wang, L. N., Jia, Y., Dong, P. J., Liu, Z. Z., He, D. D., Li, C., & Zhang, X. (2023). Regulation of short-chain fatty acids in the immune system. Frontiers in immunology, 14, 1186892. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1186892
Ridlon, J. M., Kang, D. J., Hylemon, P. B., & Bajaj, J. S. (2014). Bile acids and the gut microbiome. Current opinion in gastroenterology, 30(3), 332–338. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOG.0000000000000057
Xu, W., Yu, J., Yang, Y., Li, Z., Zhang, Y., Zhang, F., Wang, Q., Xie, Y., Zhao, B., & Wu, C. (2023). Strain-level screening of human gut microbes identifies Blautia producta as a new anti-hyperlipidemic probiotic. Gut microbes, 15(1), 2228045. https://doi.org/10.1080/19490976.2023.2228045
Yang, G., Wei, J., Liu, P., Zhang, Q., Tian, Y., Hou, G., Meng, L., Xin, Y., & Jiang, X. (2021). Role of the gut microbiota in type 2 diabetes and related diseases. Metabolism, 117, 154712. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.metabol.2021.154712
Test for
Blautia spp.
