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Fecal lactoferrin and Clostridium spp. in stools of autistic children

Gayane Martirosian1, Alicja Ekiel, Małgorzata Aptekorz

  • 1Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland. gmartir@sum.edu.pl

Anaerobe
|December 21, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Fecal lactoferrin (FLA) was elevated in some autistic boys, but no toxins were found. Clostridium perfringens was more frequent in autistic children, suggesting a potential role for gut bacteria in autism.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Neuroscience
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition.
  • Gut microbiome alterations have been implicated in ASD pathophysiology.
  • Fecal inflammatory markers and specific bacterial species are of interest.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate fecal lactoferrin (FLA) levels in autistic children.
  • To detect toxins from Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens.
  • To analyze the prevalence of Clostridium species in autistic and healthy children.

Main Methods:

  • Stool samples analyzed for FLA, C. difficile toxins, and C. perfringens enterotoxin.
  • Fecal samples cultured for Clostridium species.
  • Comparison between autistic and healthy children's samples.

Main Results:

  • Elevated FLA detected in 24.4% of stools, exclusively from boys (31.25%).
  • No C. difficile toxins were identified.
  • C. perfringens isolated significantly more often from autistic children's stools.
  • Intermediate sensitivity of C. perfringens strains to penicillin, clindamycin, and metronidazole noted.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated FLA in some autistic boys warrants further investigation.
  • The increased prevalence of C. perfringens in autistic children suggests a potential link.
  • Further research with larger cohorts is needed to elucidate the role of fecal microflora and inflammatory mediators in neurological deficits associated with autism.

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