Imbalance of Gut Bacteria and Lower Levels of a Blood Compound in Patients with Large-Artery Stroke or Mini-Stroke

Stroke and transient ischemic attack patients had significantly lower TMAO levels compared to asymptomatic controls.

• The gut microbiome of stroke and transient ischemic attack patients was distinctly different from that of asymptomatic individuals.
• Patients displayed higher levels of opportunistic pathogens such as Enterobacter, Megasphaera, Oscillibacter, and Desulfovibrio.
• Commensal or beneficial bacteria like Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Faecalibacterium were found in reduced numbers in stroke patients.
• This dysbiosis in gut microbiota was associated with the severity of the disease.
• No significant differences in TMAO levels or gut microbiota were observed among asymptomatic participants with or without carotid atherosclerotic plaques.

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