Bacteriophages Isolated from Stunted Children Can Regulate Gut Bacterial Communities in an Age-Specific Manner

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Pediatrics
• Virology

Background:

• Child stunting affects 22% of children globally, characterized by impaired growth.
• Stunted children exhibit altered gut microbiota, with increased Proteobacteria, a group containing pathogens.
• The role of bacteriophages (bacterial viruses) in stunting remains largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the gut bacteriophage communities in Bangladeshi children with stunting.
• To explore the potential role of bacteriophages in the pathophysiology of child stunting.

Main Methods:

• Characterization of gut bacterial and bacteriophage communities in stunted and non-stunted Bangladeshi children (<38 months).
• In vitro experiments to assess bacteriophage infectivity and regulatory effects on bacterial communities.

Main Results:

• Distinct gut bacteriophage communities were identified in stunted children compared to non-stunted counterparts.
• In vitro studies demonstrated that these bacteriophages are infectious and can modulate bacterial abundance and composition in an age-specific manner.
• Proteobacteria levels increased in non-stunted children's samples when exposed to phages from younger stunted children.

Conclusions:

• Gut bacteriophages exhibit distinct profiles in stunted children.
• Bacteriophages can influence bacterial communities, suggesting a potential role in stunting.
• Phage-bacterial interactions may contribute to the altered gut microbiota observed in child stunting.