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Characterization of gut microbiota in children with pulmonary tuberculosis

Weiran Li1,2, Yu Zhu1,2, Qiong Liao1,2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, No 20, 3rd section of Renmin South Road, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China.

BMC Pediatrics
|November 19, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients exhibit altered gut microbiota with reduced diversity and beneficial bacteria. Treatment further depletes gut microbiota richness, suggesting a link via the gut-lung axis.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Gut microbiota is crucial for physiological processes and linked to pulmonary infections.
  • The gut-pulmonary axis in pediatric tuberculosis (PTB) remains understudied.
  • This study characterizes gut microbiota in pediatric PTB patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the gut microbiota composition in pediatric PTB patients.
  • To compare gut microbiota between PTB patients and healthy controls.
  • To assess changes in gut microbiota following anti-tuberculosis treatment.

Main Methods:

  • A case-controlled study design was employed.
  • Fecal samples were collected from pediatric PTB patients and healthy controls.
  • 16S rDNA sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform was used for analysis, with a one-month follow-up.

Main Results:

  • Pediatric PTB patients showed decreased gut microbial diversity compared to controls.
  • An increase in pro-inflammatory bacteria (Prevotella, Enterococcus) and a decrease in beneficial bacteria (Ruminococcaceae, Bifidobacteriaceae, prausnitzii) were observed.
  • Gut microbiota richness was significantly depleted in PTB patients after one month of anti-tuberculosis therapy.

Conclusions:

  • Gut microbiota in pediatric PTB patients is significantly different from healthy individuals.
  • Anti-tuberculosis treatment leads to a further decrease in gut microbiota richness.
  • Gut microbiota dysbiosis may influence PTB pathogenesis through immune dysregulation via the gut-lung axis.
Abstract

Keywords:
16SrDNAChildrenGut microbiotaPulmonary tuberculosis

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