This research introduces curatedMetagenomicData (cMD) 3, a massive, standardized resource containing over 22,000 human microbiome samples across 42 countries. By applying uniform processing to these diverse datasets, researchers identified specific microbial signatures linked to host factors like age, sex, and body mass index. The study also highlights consistent patterns of dysbiosis across 15 different diseases, noting that certain bacteria typically found in the mouth often migrate to the gut in ill individuals. To quantify this phenomenon, the authors developed an Oral Enrichment Score (OES) as a simple metric for assessing microbiome health. Ultimately, this open-source tool provides a robust reference framework for future epidemiological studies and disease prediction.

References:

• Manghi P, Antonello G, Schiffer L, et al. Meta-analysis of 22,710 human microbiome metagenomes defines an oral-to-gut microbial enrichment score and associations with host health and disease[J]. Nature Communications, 2025.