Long-term stability of microbiome diversity and composition in fecal samples stored in eNAT medium.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Fecal samples collected for microbiome analyses are typically frozen to avoid postcollection changes in microbial composition. eNAT is a guanidine thiocyanate-based medium that stabilizes microbial DNA and allows safe specimen handling and shipping by inactivating microorganisms. We collected fecal samples (n = 50) from children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We divided samples into three aliquots: (a) stored in RNAlater and immediately transferred to -80°C; (b) stored in eNAT medium and immediately transferred to -80°C; and (c) stored in eNAT medium at ambient temperature (~20°C) for 30 days prior to transfer to -80°C. Mean (standard deviation) Shannon diversity and Chao1 indices in sample aliquots were 2.05 (0.62) and 23.8 (16.6), respectively. Comparing samples frozen immediately in RNAlater to samples frozen immediately in eNAT, there were no differences in Shannon diversity (p = .51), Chao1 richness (p = .66), and overall microbiome composition (p = .99). Comparing eNAT samples frozen immediately to samples stored at ambient temperature, we identified no differences in Shannon diversity (p = .65), Chao1 richness (p = .87), and overall microbiome composition (p = .99). Storage of fecal samples in eNAT at ambient temperature for 30 days did not alter microbiome richness, diversity, or composition. eNAT may be a useful medium for fecal microbiome studies, particularly when cold chain storage is unavailable.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Young, RR; Jenkins, K; Araujo-Perez, F; Seed, PC; Kelly, MS
Published Date
- July 2020
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 9 / 7
Start / End Page
- e1046 -
PubMed ID
- 32390344
Pubmed Central ID
- PMC7349174
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 2045-8827
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1002/mbo3.1046
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- England