Overview
Dorea longicatena is a strictly anaerobic, Gram-positive bacterium belonging to the family Lachnospiraceae within the phylum Firmicutes. It is a common member of the human gut microbiome that contributes to short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) and formate production through carbohydrate fermentation. Like its close relative Dorea formicigenerans, D. longicatena has attracted research attention as a potential biomarker for obesity and metabolic health, with its abundance positively correlated with body mass index and body fat percentage.
Classification
D. longicatena belongs to the genus Dorea within the Lachnospiraceae family, order Eubacteriales, class Clostridia. The species name "longicatena" refers to its characteristic long-chain cellular morphology. It shares its genus with D. formicigenerans, and both species are frequently co-identified in microbiome studies examining metabolic associations. The broader Lachnospiraceae family contains many important gut commensals including butyrate producers like Eubacterium rectale and Coprococcus eutactus.
Key Characteristics
D. longicatena is a fermentative anaerobe that produces SCFAs and formate as major metabolic end products. The type strain DSM 13814 is deposited at the DSMZ culture collection and serves as the reference for microbiome association studies. While its metabolic contributions to the gut SCFA pool are generally considered beneficial for colonocyte health and gut barrier function, the species demonstrates context-dependent health associations. Its abundance appears to be influenced by dietary patterns, particularly saturated fatty acid intake, which may explain its elevation in populations consuming Western-type diets.
Health Significance
Research suggests that D. longicatena may serve as a useful biomarker for metabolic health status rather than a directly pathogenic organism. In a cross-sectional study, it was co-identified with D. formicigenerans and Collinsella aerofaciens as an obesity-associated species, showing positive correlations with BMI, body fat percentage, and saturated fatty acid intake. Variable associations with inflammatory bowel disease have also been reported, though the direction and significance vary across studies. At typical gut concentrations, D. longicatena likely contributes constructively to the microbial ecosystem through SCFA production; however, its elevation in metabolically unhealthy populations suggests that context matters. Further research is needed to determine whether elevated D. longicatena is a cause or consequence of metabolic dysregulation.