Duodenal microbiota is not the predominent origin for bacterial translocation in liver cirrhosis

Background and aims: Intestinal dysbiosis and bacterial translocation (BT) in cirrhosis has been regarded as the main driver for infections. However, results regarding the intestinal origin of BT are conflicting. Although the small intestine has been considered having the greatest potential for BT further results promoted that bacteria mainly translocate from the colon. We therefore investigated duodenal fluid and blood of patients with cirrhosis in terms of its bacterial DNA (bactDNA) content and composition. Methods: 156 blood and duodenal samples were collected in patients with cirrhosis (n = 114) and control…