Can the Gram-positive/Gram-negative Ratio indicate potential inflammation?

The presence of Gram-negative bacteria is not necessarily indicative of an inflammatory state, as this category also includes commensals. Over-reliance on the G+/G- ratio could lead to misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment.
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An inflammatory response depends on the structure of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which are components of Gram-negative bacterial cell walls1. Microbiome Explorer measures the number of microbial cells with the genetic capacity to produce hexa-LPS, the specific structure of LPS found in Gammaproteobacteria, that triggers inflammation. Most other Gram-negative bacteria produce under-acylated LPS, which cannot trigger inflammation and may actually play a beneficial role by inhibiting inflammatory signaling.
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Microbiome Explorer also assesses the body's potential response to hexa-LPS by factors such as the integrity of the gut barrier and presence of anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
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10.1093/femsre/fuz002

10.1128/mSystems.00046-17
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