A groundbreaking study has revealed that the composition of the gut microbiome can predict a person’s susceptibility to potentially life-threatening infections caused by bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae and E. coli.

Researchers indicated that dietary choices could play a pivotal role in altering the gut environment to reduce such risks. The research team analysed gut microbiome samples from over 12,000 individuals across 45 countries, employing advanced computational techniques, including artificial intelligence.

Their findings, published in "Nature Microbiology", demonstrated that specific bacterial profiles in the gut could signal whether it was prone to colonisation by harmful bacteria from the Enterobacteriaceae group.

Dr Alexandre Almeida, a researcher from the University of Cambridge’s Department of Veterinary Medicine and senior author of the study, stated, “Our results suggest that what we eat is potentially very important in controlling the likelihood of infection with a range of bacteria, including E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae because this changes our gut environment to make it more hostile to invaders.”

The study highlighted 135 gut microbe species commonly found in healthy individuals, which appear to protect against harmful Enterobacteriaceae bacteria. Among these protective species, Faecalibacterium stood out due to its ability to produce short-chain fatty acids by breaking down dietary fibre, thereby creating a gut environment that resists infection.

Dr Almeida further explained, “By eating fibre in foods like vegetables, beans and whole grains, we can provide the raw material for our gut bacteria to produce short-chain fatty acids -- compounds that can protect us from these pathogenic bugs.”

The study also revealed that probiotics had limited effectiveness in preventing Enterobacteriaceae infections, as they did not directly alter the gut environment. Researchers urged individuals to prioritise fibre-rich diets to foster the growth of beneficial bacteria, thereby reducing the likelihood of illness caused by dangerous pathogens.

Klebsiella pneumoniae has been identified as a causative agent of severe infections, including pneumonia and meningitis, underscoring the significance of these findings.