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The microaerophilic microbiota of de-novo paediatric inflammatory bowel disease: the BISCUIT study

Richard Hansen1, Susan H Berry, Indrani Mukhopadhya

  • 1Gastrointestinal Research Group, Division of Applied Medicine, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.

Plos One
|April 5, 2013
PubMed

Insights

This study investigated microaerophilic bacteria in children with new-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Campylobacter and Sutterella wadsworthensis were common, but not significantly linked to IBD, while Helicobacter was rare.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Paediatric Medicine

Background:

  • Investigating aetiological agents in new-onset pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is crucial before treatment confounders arise.
  • Microaerophilic bacteria, such as Helicobacter and Campylobacter, are potential contributors to IBD pathogenesis.
  • This study focuses on identifying these bacteria in treatment-naïve children with de-novo IBD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comprehensively analyze the microaerophilic bacterial microbiota in the pediatric colon at the onset of IBD.
  • To determine the prevalence and association of specific microaerophilic bacteria (Helicobacteraceae, Campylobacteraceae, Sutterella wadsworthensis) with de-novo pediatric IBD.

Main Methods:

  • Recruited 100 children, including 44 treatment-naïve de-novo IBD patients and 42 with normal colons, undergoing colonoscopy.
  • Collected colonic biopsies for microaerophilic culture and identification of Gram-negative isolates via sequencing.
  • Performed PCR screening for Helicobacteraceae, Campylobacteraceae, and Sutterella wadsworthensis.

Main Results:

  • Identified 129 Gram-negative microaerophilic isolates from 10 genera, with Sutterella wadsworthensis being most frequent.
  • Isolated unusual Campylobacter species from 8 subjects; no Helicobacter species were cultured.
  • PCR screening revealed no significant difference in the prevalence of Helicobacter, Campylobacter, or S. wadsworthensis between IBD patients and controls.

Conclusions:

  • Campylobacter species are common in the pediatric colon (around 8% of biopsies) but not strongly associated with IBD onset.
  • Sutterella wadsworthensis is identified as a common commensal bacterium in the pediatric gut.
  • Helicobacter species are relatively rare in the pediatric colon, suggesting a limited role in de-novo IBD pathogenesis.
Abstract

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