Global analysis of 11,000+ gut microbiomes identifies uncultured CAG-170 as marker of health
Meta-analysis of 11,115 metagenomes from 39 countries finds the uncultured bacterial group CAG-170 is consistently more abundant in healthy people and linked to vitamin B12 production and carbohydrate digestion.
- The study analysed 11,115 gut metagenomes from 39 countries using metagenomics and the Unified Human Gastrointestinal Genome catalogue.
- CAG-170 is an uncultured bacterial group that was consistently more abundant in healthy people than in cohorts with 13 diseases including Crohn's, obesity and chronic fatigue.
- Genomic analysis shows CAG-170 can produce vitamin B12 and enzymes that break down a wide range of carbohydrates.
- Lower CAG-170 levels were associated with dysbiosis, a gut imbalance linked to conditions such as IBS, rheumatoid arthritis and mental health issues.
- Researchers say CAG-170 could serve as a reproducible biomarker of gut health and a target for next generation probiotics.
- Most CAG-170 strains are not yet grown in the lab, so culture, experimental validation and clinical testing are needed before therapeutics are developed.
- The work was led by Dr Alexandre Almeida at the University of Cambridge and published 9 Feb 2026 in Cell Host & Microbe.