Integrated univariate, multivariate and correlation-based network analyses reveal metabolite-specific effects on bacterial growth and biofilm formation in necrotizing soft tissue infections

Necrotizing soft-tissue infections (NSTIs) have multiple causes, risk factors, anatomical locations, and pathogenic mechanisms. In patients with NSTI, circulating metabolites may serve as substrate having impact on bacterial adaptation at the site of infection. Metabolic signatures associated with NSTI may reveal potential be useful as diagnostic and prognostic markers, as well as novel targets for therapy. This study used untargeted metabolomics analyses of plasma from NSTI patients (n=34) and healthy (non-infected) controls (n=24) to identify the metabolic signatures and connectivity patterns among metabolites associated with NSTI. Metabolite-metabolite association networks were employed to compare the metabolic profiles of NSTI patients and non-infected surgical controls. Out of 97 metabolites detected, the abundance of 33 was significantly altered in NSTI patients. Analysis of metabolite-metabolite association networks showed a more densely connected network: specifically, 20 metabolites differentiall...