Exploration of Gut Microbiome Research in Africa: A Scoping Review

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The crucial role of the gut microbiome in various diseases has led to increased interest in interventions andtherapeutics targeting the human microbiome. Accordingly, the current scoping review analyzed the diseases and interventionsinvolved in gut microbiome research in Africa. The electronic databases of PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus weresearched from inception to October 2021. This study identified 48 studies involving 7073 study participants. Of the 48 studies,20 (42%) used interventions to modulate gut microbiota, whereas the remaining 28 (58%) did not. Out of the total Africancountries, only 13% were involved in intervention-based gut microbiome research, whereas a larger proportion of 67% werenot involved in any gut microbiome research. The interventions used in gut microbiome research in Africa include supplements,natural products, educational approaches, associated pathogens, albendazole, fresh daily yogurt, iron-containing lipidbasednutrient supplements, fecal microbiota transplant, and prophylactic cotrimoxazole. This scoping review highlights thecurrent state of gut microbiome research in Africa. The findings of this review can inform the design of future studies andinterventions aimed at improving gut health in African populations.