What is Roseburia? High and low values | Lab results explained

Roseburia is a genus (=group) of 5 species of bacteria named in the 1980s after American microbiologist Theodor Rosebury. Bacteria in this genus are notable for breaking down sugar, and producing a short-chain fatty acid called butyrate which is important as a food for the cells lining the colon.

The genus Roseburia consists of obligate Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria that are slightly curved, rod-shaped and motile by means of multiple subterminal flagella. It includes five species: Roseburia intestinalis, R. hominis, R. inulinivorans, R. faecis and R. cecicola.

– Gut Roseburia spp. metabolize dietary components that stimulate their proliferation and metabolic activities.

– They are part of commensal bacteria producing short-chain fatty acids, especially butyrate, affecting colonic motility, immunity maintenance and anti-inflammatory properties. Butyrate has been observed to help prevent colorectal cancer and colitis

– Modification in Roseburia spp. representation may affect various metabolic pathways and is associated with several diseases (including irritable bowel syndrome, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, nervous system conditions and allergies).

– Roseburia spp. could also serve as biomarkers for symptomatic pathologies (e.g., gallstone formation) or as probiotics for restoration of beneficial flora.

References:

– A decrease of the butyrate-producing species Roseburia hominis and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii defines dysbiosis in patients with ulcerative colitis. [L]

– Roseburia spp.: a marker of health? [L]

– Human Gut Symbiont Roseburia hominis Promotes and Regulates Innate Immunity [L]

– Reduced Dietary Intake of Carbohydrates by Obese Subjects Results in Decreased Concentrations of Butyrate and Butyrate-Producing Bacteria in Feces [L]

– Gut metagenome in European women with normal, impaired and diabetic glucose control. [L]

– Roseburia hominis: a novel guilty player in ulcerative colitis pathogenesis? [L]

What does it mean if your Roseburia result is too low?

A lower abundance of Roseburia has been observed in patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease. It has also been suggested that a decrease in one particular species, Roseburia hominis, may be associated with ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome.

– A lower abundance of Roseburia spp. has been associated with Ulcerative Colitis.

– In type 2 diabetes low levels of Lactobacillus and Roseburia can be observed.

– Studies have shown that reduced carbohydrates intake by obese subjects decrease Roseburia spp. and hence butyrate.

– A reduction in a cluster of genes belonging to Roseburia and F. prausnitzii was identified as a discriminant marker for the prediction of diabetic status in European women.

What does it mean if your Roseburia result is too high?

Elevated levels of Roseburia may be associated with weight loss and reduced glucose intolerance.

Disclaimer:

Test results may vary depending on your age, gender, health history, the method used for the test, and other things. Your test results may not mean you have a problem. Ask your healthcare provider what your test results mean for you. 

The information on healthmatters.io is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.