Gut microbiota signatures and clinical manifestations in celiac disease children at onset: a pilot study
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Updated: Dec 14, 2025
Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
Published on: October 15, 2019
Anna Rita Di Biase1, Giovanni Marasco2, Federico Ravaioli2
1Pediatric Unit, Modena University Hospital, Modena, Italy.
Insights
The gut microbiota of children with celiac disease (CD) differs from healthy children, showing imbalances linked to symptoms. Further research is needed to understand if this dysbiosis contributes to early CD onset.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Altered gut microbiota composition is observed in celiac disease (CD) patients compared to healthy controls (HCs).
- Understanding these microbial differences in children at disease onset is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the gut microbiota composition in pediatric celiac disease patients at the time of diagnosis.
- To investigate the relationship between specific bacterial abundances and clinical symptoms in these children.
Main Methods:
- Enrolled 21 pediatric CD patients and 16 healthy controls (HCs).
- Collected stool and duodenal samples for analysis.
- Utilized a high taxonomic fingerprint microbiota array for detailed microbial profiling.
Main Results:
- Duodenal microbiota in CD patients showed a dominance of Enterobacteriaceae and subdominance of Bacteroidetes/Streptococcus.
- Stool microbiota revealed lower abundance of Bacteroides-Prevotella, Akkermansia, and Staphylococcaceae in CD patients versus HCs.
- Specific bacterial imbalances, such as increased Bacillaceae and Enterobacteriaceae, were associated with abdominal pain, while others correlated with diarrhea.
Conclusions:
- Gut microbiota composition in children with celiac disease at onset is distinct from that of healthy children.
- Pro-inflammatory microbial imbalances are linked to the manifestation of CD symptoms.
- Further investigation is warranted to determine if gut dysbiosis is a contributing factor to early-onset celiac disease and its associated symptoms.
Background And Aim:
Recent researches have shown an altered gut microbiota in celiac disease (CD) patients compared with healthy controls (HCs). This study aims to evaluate the composition of the microbiota of CD children at onset and the relationship between bacterial abundances and symptoms.
Methods:
Celiac disease patients were consecutively enrolled at a pediatric unit referring for suspected CD. HCs were also included in the study. Stool and duodenal samples were collected and evaluated by a high taxonomic fingerprint microbiota array.
Results:
Thirty-seven subjects enrolled: 21 CD patients and 16 HCs. Fourteen subjects were male (38%). The mean age was 75 months (standard deviation 31.5) for CD patients and 71 months (standard deviation 34.9) for HCs. Duodenal microbiota of CD patients showed a dominance of Enterobacteriaceae and subdominance of Bacteroidetes/Streptococcus. Stool microbiota showed a lower abundance of Bacteroides-Prevotella (P = 0.013), Akkermansia (P = 0.002), and Staphylococcaceae (P = 0.001) in CD patients compared with HC. At symptoms level, an increased mean relative abundance of Bacillaceae and Enterobaeriaceae in patients with abdominal pain (P = 0.007 and P = 0.010) was found. CD patients with diarrhea had reduced mean relative abundance of Clostridium cluster XIVa (P = 0.044) and Akkermansia (P = 0.033) and an increase in Bacillaceae (P = 0.048) and Fusobacterium (P = 0.048).
Conclusions:
Gut microbiota of CD children at disease onset is different from that of HC. Pro-inflammatory microbiota imbalances were associated with CD symptoms. Further studies are needed to assess whether dysbiosis is associated with CD early onset and symptoms.
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