Study of Gut Microbiota Diversity Among Migrant Workers in Jeddah, Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia, Using 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

Microbiome diversity varies significantly across countries and social groups due to geographic, ethnic, lifestyle, and dietary factors, with populations in traditional and rural settings tending to harbor more diverse microbial communities than those in industrialized urban environments. In Saudi Arabia, the influx of migrant workers from regions with distinct health and ecological backgrounds represents a public health concern. In particular, these workers may carry novel microbial species from their places of origin, thereby increasing the risk of infectious diseases spreading in the local population. This may also result in disruption of gut microbial homeostasis, thereby elevating risks related to infection, metabolic disorders, and disease susceptibility. Furthermore, the potential emergence of drug-resistant or locally uncommon microbial strains is particularly concerning. In this study, bacterial diversity was assessed in 28 fecal samples collected from migrant workers living in Saudi Arabia, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing targeting the V3–V4 regions. Operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were clustered at 97% sequence similarity, and alpha diversity indices (Shannon, Simpson, Chao1, ACE) were calculated to evaluate microbial richness and evenness. The results revealed considerable inter-individual variability, with Segatella copri, Peptostreptococcus, and Lachnospiraceae identified as dominant taxa across multiple samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated distinct patterns of inter-individual variation, indicating compositional heterogeneity within the cohort. Functional predictions using PICRUSt2 suggested enrichment in metabolic pathways related to carbohydrate and amino acid processing. These findings offer a comprehensive characterization of the gut microbiome structure and predicted functionality in a population characterized by diverse geographic origins.