Phascolarctobacterium faecium abundant colonization in human gastrointestinal tract

<i>Phascolarctobacterium</i> can produce short-chain fatty acids, including acetate and propionate, and can be associated with the metabolic state and mood of the host. The present study investigated the colonization characteristics of <i>Phascolarctobacterium faecium</i> in healthy individuals <1-80 years old in Southern China. A total of 150 fresh fecal samples were collected, and bacterial DNA was isolated from these samples for quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. <i>Phascolarctobacterium faecium</i> demonstrated a high colonization rate and abundant colonization in the human gastrointestinal tract. The colonization rate varied between 43.33-93.33%, and the abundance of <i>Phascolarctobacterium faecium</i> ranged between 3.22-5.76 log cells g-1 (<1 years old) and 3.06-9.33 log cells g-1 (>1 year old). The permillage of <i>Phascolarctobacterium faecium</i> in total bacteria ranged between 0.004-1.479. There was presence of <i>Phascolarctobacterium faecium</i>-like bacteria in younger individuals with a gradual increase in the number of bacteria maintained at a high level with increasing ages (between 1 and 60 years old), but with a decrease in elderly individuals (>60 years old). The results of the present study demonstrated that <i>Phascolarctobacterium faecium</i> is abundantly colonized in the human gastrointestinal tract.