Liver-gut Axis Study Through Identification of Liver Disease-specific Microbiome

Exploration of Liver-gut Axis Through Identification of Liver Disease-specific Microbiome

In this study, we aim to identify gut microbiomes specific to patients with chronic refractory liver disease and to conduct a gut-liver axis study on the pathogenesis and disease progression.

1. The investigators will recruit study participants aged 19 and older who have been diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, or liver abscess, along with their household members, and who have agreed to participate in this study at Chungnam National University Hospital.
2. The investigators collect and analyze blood and stool samples from the patients and their household members
3. Sampling Method: Non-Probability Samples
4. Study Population:

Group of autoimmune hepatitis: patients with definite autoimmune hepatitis or their healthy households for controls Group of primary biliary cholangitis: patients with definite primary biliary cholangitis or their healthy households for controls Group of primary sclerosing cholangitis: patients with definite primary sclerosing cholangitis or their healthy households for controls Group of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis: patients with definite non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or their healthy households for controls Group of liver abscess: patients with definite liver abscess or their healthy households for controls.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults aged 19 years and older diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or liver abscess, who have consented to participate in this study at Chungnam National University Hospital.
• Adults aged 19 years and older, who are cohabitants of patients diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or liver abscess, and have consented to participate in this study at Chungnam National University Hospital.

B. Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals under the age of 19.
• Patients or guardians who do not consent to participate in the study