Association Between Confocal Laser Endomicroscopic (CLE) Features and Colorectal Mucosal Microbiome

Association Between Confocal Laser Endomicroscopic (CLE) Features and Colorectal Mucosal Microbiome

The purpose of this study is to determine whether an association between endomicroscopic pattern and colorectal mucosal microbiome exists.

The gut microbiome plays a pivotal role in the intestinal pathophysiology. The mucosal microbiome is in the front face of microbiome-host cross-talk. Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) can provide realtime mucosal images during ongoing endoscopy. We hypothesized that the mucosal pattern, here evaluated by endomicroscopy, may constitute specific microbiome niches and participate the evolvement of the mucosal microbiome.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years old ≤ age < 80 years old
• Scheduled for colonoscopy in Qilu Hospital

Exclusion Criteria:

• antibiotic usage within 2 months
• probiotic or prebiotic usage within 2 months
• ascites
• jaundice
• liver cirrhosis
• impaired renal function
• coagulopathy
• fever
• pregnancy
• breastfeeding
• inability to provide informed consent
• known allergy to fluorescein sodium