FIG 2.

Alpha diversity plots of Chao1 estimator richness, observed species (number of OTUs), Shannon index, and Simpson index measures for the 24 patient samples grouped by the positive or negative H. pylori (HP) status, or by the presence (treated) or absence (untreated) of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment. The HP-positive and HP-negative patient groups were subdivided by PPI treatment as indicated. The middle line in the box plot represents the median value, and the box is drawn from 25% to 75% quartiles. Whiskers show minimum and maximum values and the ends of the whiskers represent the nonoutlier range. P values of <0.05 (*), <0.01 (**), and <0.001 (***), by an ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test, were used to determine the statistical significance of differences between groups. A P value of >0.05 indicated the absence of statistically significant differences. NS, not significant.