NEW STUDY DEBUNKS THE PREVALENCE OF MICROBIOMES IN THE BLOOD OF HEALTHY HUMANS

- Study analysed a large-scale dataset of 10,000 Singaporeans and confirmed the absence of a stable community of microbes (fungi, bacteria, and viruses) in the blood of healthy humans

SINGAPORE – Scientists from A*STAR’s Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) have ascertained that there is no stable microbial community residing in the bloodstream of healthy humans. This is an important discovery as blood donations are a crucial part of medical practice. Understanding the types of microbes that are found in blood could allow for the development of better microbial tests in blood donations, which would minimise the risk of transfusion-related infections. The research was published in Nature Microbiology on 31 March 2023.

Traditionally, the bloodstream of healthy individuals is understood not to contain any microbes, but recent studies have suggested the presence of a blood ‘microbiome’, which refers to a community of fungi, bacteria, and viruses in the blood.

To investigate the accuracy of these claims, scientists at A*STAR’s GIS analysed the population-scale sequencing data from “SG10K_Health”, which is the headline project of the Singapore National Precision Medicine programme (NPM Phase 1). After accounting for contamination that is rife in microbiome investigations, the team found that microbes were only rarely and sporadically detected in blood, instead of existing as communities.

The scientists also found evidence that certain bacteria in the blood of healthy individuals may have undergone recent DNA replication, suggesting that these bacteria are actively reproducing and potentially transiting through the bloodstream between body sites. Their findings suggest that live microbes do occasionally enter the bloodstream from other body sites without causing disease, but there is no core set of species colonising the blood of healthy individuals. The findings also provide a useful resource for the types of microbes that one might be expected to occasionally see in the blood of healthy humans. Characterising the range of microbial species present in the blood of healthy individuals forms a crucial baseline for comparison with that of diseased individuals, shedding light on how blood microbial profiles may correlate with health status.

Dr Niranjan Nagarajan, lead author of the study and Senior Group Leader at A*STAR’s GIS’ Laboratory of Metagenomic Technologies and Microbial Systems and Associate Director of Genome Architecture, said, “We have known for decades that microbes can invade the bloodstream and cause disease — the first report of bacteria in human blood dates back to around 1969. However, in medical practice, the blood is generally considered sterile, with transient migration of bacteria into the bloodstream, for example during daily routine activities like tooth-brushing. Over the past few years, scientists began suggesting the presence of a microbial community in blood, challenging this. Our findings refute the claims by these recent studies.”

Dr Chia Minghao, Senior Research Fellow at A*STAR’s GIS and co-supervising author of the study, remarked, "Our laboratory has a long-term experience with microbiome analyses and controlling contaminants or artefacts in sequencing data. The lab continues to explore how different fungi, bacteria and viruses co-exist peacefully at various body sites and how they play a role in shaping human health."

Prof Patrick Tan, Executive Director of A*STAR’s GIS, said, “A*STAR’s GIS has been collaborating with the SG10K_Health consortium and the National Precision Medicine office to ensure robust interpretation of the dataset. This is the largest analysis to date in the world, of microbial signatures in human blood. These findings by Dr Niranjan Nagarajan’s team is an important move toward more informed decision-making in medical therapeutics.”

For media queries and clarifications, please contact:

Genome Institute of Singapore, A*STAR
Winnie Lim
Manager, Office of Corporate Communications
Genome Institute of Singapore, A*STAR
Tel: +65 6808 8013
HP: +65 9669 1730
Email: limcp2@gis.a-star.edu.sg
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About A*STAR’s Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS)

The Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) is an institute of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). It has a global vision that seeks to use genomic sciences to achieve extraordinary improvements in human health and public prosperity. Established in 2000 as a centre for genomic discovery, the GIS pursues the integration of technology, genetics and biology towards academic, economic and societal impact, with a mission to "read, reveal and write DNA for a better Singapore and world".

Key research areas at the GIS include Precision Medicine & Population Genomics, Genome Informatics, Spatial & Single Cell Systems, Epigenetic & Epitranscriptomic Regulation, Genome Architecture & Design, and Sequencing Platforms. The genomics infrastructure at the GIS is also utilised to train new scientific talent, to function as a bridge for academic and industrial research, and to explore scientific questions of high impact.

For more information about GIS, please visit www.a-star.edu.sg/gis.

About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)

A*STAR is Singapore's lead public sector R&D agency. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in both the public and private sectors to benefit the economy and society. As a Science and Technology Organisation, A*STAR bridges the gap between academia and industry. Our research creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore, and enhances lives by improving societal outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability. A*STAR plays a key role in nurturing scientific talent and leaders for the wider research community and industry. A*STAR’s R&D activities span biomedical sciences to physical sciences and engineering, with research entities primarily located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis. For ongoing news, visit www.a-star.edu.sg.

Follow us on
Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube

About National University of Singapore (NUS)

The National University of Singapore (NUS) is Singapore’s flagship university, which offers a global approach to education, research and entrepreneurship, with a focus on Asian perspectives and expertise. We have 16 colleges, faculties and schools across three campuses in Singapore, with more than 40,000 students from 100 countries enriching our vibrant and diverse campus community. We have also established our NUS Overseas Colleges programme in more than 15 cities around the world.

Our multidisciplinary and real-world approach to education, research and entrepreneurship enables us to work closely with industry, governments and academia to address crucial and complex issues relevant to Asia and the world. Researchers in our faculties, research centres of excellence, corporate labs and more than 30 university-level research institutes focus on themes that include energy; environmental and urban sustainability; treatment and prevention of diseases; active ageing; advanced materials; risk management and resilience of financial systems; Asian studies; and Smart Nation capabilities such as artificial intelligence, data science, operations research and cybersecurity.

SingHealth delivers comprehensive, multi-disciplinary and integrated care across a network of acute hospitals, national specialty centres, polyclinics and community hospitals. Offering over 40 clinical specialties, SingHealth is Singapore’s largest public healthcare cluster.

For more information on NUS, please visit www.nus.edu.sg.