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Microbial structure and function in infant and juvenile rhesus macaques are primarily affected by age, not
Yu Hasegawa1, Britni Curtis2, Vernon Yutuc2
1Department of Food Science and Technology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA.
Abstract:
Although thimerosal, an ethylmercury-based preservative, has been removed from most pediatric vaccines in the United States, some multidose vaccines, such as influenza vaccines, still contain thimerosal. Considering that a growing number of studies indicate involvement of the gut microbiome in infant immune development and vaccine responses, it is important to elucidate the impact of pediatric vaccines, including thimerosal-containing vaccines, on gut microbial structure and function. Here, a non-human primate model was utilized to assess how two vaccine schedules affect the gut microbiome in infants (5-9 days old) and juveniles (77-88 weeks old) through 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing and metabolomics analyses of the fecal samples. Two treatment groups (n = 12/group) followed either the vaccine schedule that was in place during the 1990s (intensive exposure to thimerosal) or an expanded schedule administered in 2008 (prenatal and postnatal exposure to thimerosal mainly via influenza vaccines), and were compared with a control group (n = 16) that received saline injections. The primary impact on gut microbial structure and function was age. Although a few statistically significant impacts of the two common pediatric vaccine schedules were observed when confounding factors were considered, the magnitude of the differences was small, and appeared to be positive with vaccination.
Insights
Pediatric vaccine schedules, including those with thimerosal (ethylmercury), showed minimal impact on infant gut microbiome structure and function. Age was the primary influence, with vaccination effects appearing small and potentially positive.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Vaccinology
- Developmental toxicology
Background:
- Thimerosal (ethylmercury), a vaccine preservative, remains in some vaccines like influenza.
- The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in infant immune development and vaccine responses.
- Understanding vaccine impacts on the gut microbiome is essential for infant health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effects of two pediatric vaccine schedules on the gut microbiome in infant and juvenile non-human primates.
- To compare the impact of 1990s and 2008 vaccine schedules, including thimerosal exposure, on gut microbial communities.
- To investigate the influence of age and vaccination on gut microbial structure and function.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a non-human primate model for infant (5-9 days) and juvenile (77-88 weeks) studies.
- Employed 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing and metabolomics on fecal samples.
- Compared two vaccine schedules (1990s vs. 2008) and a saline control group.
Main Results:
- Age was identified as the primary factor influencing gut microbial structure and function.
- Pediatric vaccine schedules showed statistically significant but small impacts on the gut microbiome.
- Observed effects of vaccination on the gut microbiome appeared to be positive.
Conclusions:
- Infant and juvenile gut microbiomes are primarily shaped by age.
- Pediatric vaccine schedules, even those with thimerosal, have a limited impact on gut microbial composition and function.
- Vaccination demonstrated a potentially beneficial, albeit small, effect on the gut microbiome.
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