Barnesiella is a genus of Gram-negative, obligate anaerobic bacteria within the phylum Bacteroidetes. It is a commensal member of the healthy human gut microbiota, recognized for its role in colonization resistance — the ability of the resident microbiome to prevent establishment of pathogenic or antibiotic-resistant organisms.
Barnesiella is consistently depleted in endometriosis-associated gut microbiome profiles. Studies examining the gut microbiota of women with endometriosis have found reduced Barnesiella abundance compared to healthy controls ([1], cross-sectional; [2], review). This depletion pattern is part of a broader loss of commensal Bacteroidetes observed in the condition ([3], narrative review). The functional consequence of Barnesiella loss may include reduced colonization resistance, allowing opportunistic taxa to expand in the dysbiotic gut environment characteristic of endometriosis.
Cross-References
- bacteroidetes — parent phylum
- endometriosis — primary condition of depletion
- endometriosis signature — signature page where Barnesiella depletion is documented