Single aflatoxin B1 exposure induces changes in gut microbiota community in C57Bl/6 mice

The liver and the gastrointestinal tract are the earliest target for the harmful effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). This study investigated the impact of a single oral administration of AFB1 (663 µg of AFB1/kg of body weight) on the gut microbial community of C57Bl/6 mice. Sequencing of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was performed with an Illumina MiSeq sequencer. AFB1 caused significant increases in the Lachnospiraceae family and decreases in Mucispirillum genus. In conclusion, a single oral dose of AFB1 changed the relative abundances of some taxa, but not the overall membership or structure of intestinal microbial communities in C57Bl/6 mice.