*2.7. Metagenomic Analysis*

DNA was isolated from clinical samples using bead-beating (on PowerLyzer, Mo-Bio) combined with flocculation and silica columns. V3-V4 bacterial 16S rRNA gene fragments were amplified and converted into Illumina sequencing libraries as previously described [43]. The libraries were sequenced on MiSeq using 600 cycles v.3 kit (Illumina) at CMIT NCU.
