Bacterial culturomics is a set of techniques to isolate and identify live bacteria from complex microbial ecosystems. Despite its potential to revolutionize microbiome research, bacterial culturomics has significant challenges when applied to human gut microbiome studies due to its labor-intensive nature. Therefore, we established a streamlined culturomics approach with minimal culture conditions for stool sample preincubation. We evaluated the suitability of non-selective medium candidates for maintaining microbial diversity during a 30-day incubation period based on 16S rRNA gene amplicon analysis. Subsequently, we applied four culture conditions (two preincubation media under an aerobic/anaerobic atmosphere) to isolate gut bacteria on a large scale from eight stool samples of healthy humans. We identified 8141 isolates, classified into 263 bacterial species, including 12 novel species candidates. Our analysis of cultivation efficiency revealed that seven days of aerobic and ten days of anaerobic incubation captured approximately 91% and 95% of the identified species within each condition, respectively, with a synergistic effect confirmed when selected preincubation media were combined. Moreover, our culturomics findings expanded the coverage of gut microbial diversity compared to 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing results. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the potential of a streamlined culturomics approach for the efficient isolation of gut bacteria from human stool samples. This approach might pave the way for the broader adoption of culturomics in human gut microbiome studies, ultimately leading to a more comprehensive understanding of this complex microbial ecosystem.

Background: Funiculitis, an inflammation of the spermatic cord, usually results from infection of adjacent structures like the epididymis, testis or the urethra. It is most frequently caused by a bacterial infection, but has a broad (non-infectious) differential diagnosis.Methods: This case illustrates an unusual cause of funiculitis. A 72-year old man presented with sequential right- and left side funiculitis. He was non-responsive to antibiotics and developed constitutional symptoms. A non-infectious inflammatory etiology was suspected and further diagnostic procedures were performed.Results: PET findings suggested medium and large vessel vasculitis. CT angiography and histopathological analysis of the spermatic cord lacked the typical characteristics of Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN) or medium size vasculitis. In light of a probable medium vessel vasculitis the patient was treated with corticosteroids, with a favorable response.Conclusion: Vasculitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a funiculitis that does not respond to antibiotic therapy. PET CT is an important tool for the diagnosis of vasculitis in patients with an atypical presentation and inconclusive diagnostic testing.