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Gut Microbiome Composition in Young Nicaraguan Children During Diarrhea Episodes and Recovery

Sylvia Becker-Dreps1, Imane Allali2, Andrea Monteagudo2

  • 1Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Microbiome Core Facility, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco; Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, León, Nicaragua; Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Center for Demographic and Health Research, National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, León, Nicaragua; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina sbd@unc.edu.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
|September 10, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Diarrhea episodes in children can disrupt the gut microbiota. Recovery may be delayed and pathogen-specific, suggesting longer healing times than previously assumed.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pediatrics
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Diarrhea significantly impacts intestinal function, particularly in children from low-income regions.
  • The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining intestinal health and function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of diarrhea episodes on the gut microbiome composition in Nicaraguan children.
  • To compare gut microbial diversity and richness during active diarrhea and after recovery.

Main Methods:

  • 16S amplicon sequencing was used to analyze the gut microbiome composition of stool samples.
  • Paired samples from children during diarrhea and at least 2 months post-diarrhea were compared.
  • Bacterial enteropathogens were identified in diarrhea samples.

Main Results:

  • No significant overall difference in phylogenetic diversity or species richness was observed between diarrhea and recovery stools.
  • Children with detected bacterial enteropathogens showed no increase in diversity post-diarrhea.
  • Children without detected enteropathogens were more likely to show increased diversity after recovery (P = 0.008).

Conclusions:

  • Gut microbiota recovery after diarrhea may be prolonged and dependent on the specific pathogen involved.
  • These findings suggest a need for revised expectations regarding the timeline of gut health restoration post-diarrhea.

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