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A Method for Targeted 16S Sequencing of Human Milk Samples
Published on: March 23, 2018
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Early-life gut microbiome composition and milk allergy resolution
Supinda Bunyavanich1, Nan Shen2, Alexander Grishin3
1Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Icahn Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY; Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY.
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|June 14, 2016
Summary
Early infant gut bacteria, specifically Clostridia and Firmicutes, are linked to cow's milk allergy resolution. This suggests potential probiotic therapies for childhood food allergies.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Pediatric allergy
- Immunology
Background:
- Cow's milk allergy (CMA) is a common childhood condition.
- The gut microbiome's role in CMA's natural history is increasingly recognized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between early-life gut microbiota composition and the resolution of CMA.
- To identify specific microbial patterns that predict CMA remission.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 226 infants with CMA, followed until age 8 years.
- Fecal samples analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing for gut microbiome profiling.
- Microbiome analysis employed QIIME, PICRUSt, and STAMP for comprehensive assessment.
Main Results:
- CMA resolved in 56.6% of children by age 8.
- Gut microbiome composition at 3-6 months significantly associated with CMA resolution (PERMANOVA P=.047).
- Infants with resolved CMA showed enrichment of Clostridia and Firmicutes, with predicted decreased fatty acid metabolism.
Conclusions:
- Early infancy represents a critical window for gut microbiota to influence food allergy outcomes.
- Specific bacterial taxa, including Clostridia and Firmicutes, show promise as potential probiotics for CMA treatment.
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