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Gut Microbiota-Metabolome Changes in Children With Diarrhea by Diarrheagenic E. coli

Pablo Gallardo1, Mariana Izquierdo1, Roberto M Vidal2

  • 1Departamento de Pediatría y Cirugía Infantil, Facultad de Medicina, Hospital Dr. Luis Calvo Mackenna, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
|October 19, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) diarrhea in children is linked to distinct gut microbiota and metabolome profiles. Specific bacterial species correlate with altered histamine and L-ornithine levels, offering insights into disease mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Metabolomics
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) is a major cause of diarrhea in young children globally.
  • DEC virulence is influenced by gut microbiota metabolites and environmental factors.
  • Understanding the interplay between gut microbiota and DEC is crucial for pediatric health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate differences in gut microbiota composition and metabolome in children with DEC-associated diarrhea versus healthy children.
  • To identify specific microbial and metabolic signatures associated with DEC infections.
  • To explore correlations between gut bacteria and key metabolites.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences for microbiota composition in stool samples.
  • Prediction of metabolic pathways using PICRUSt2 based on microbial data.
  • Metabolomic profiling of stool samples using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS).
  • Correlation analysis between bacterial genera and detected metabolites using MIMOSA2.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences in gut microbiota composition were observed between DEC-positive and healthy children.
  • The DEC group showed a decrease in Firmicutes and an increase in Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria.
  • Metabolic pathways related to histidine and L-ornithine metabolism differed significantly.
  • Elevated histamine and reduced ornithine levels were found in DEC samples, correlated with specific bacterial species and pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Children with DEC diarrhea exhibit distinct gut microbiota and metabolome profiles compared to healthy children.
  • A strong association exists between specific gut bacteria and metabolites like histamine and L-ornithine in DEC infections.
  • These findings may elucidate signaling molecules and mechanisms in the host-pathogen-microbiota interaction.

Keywords:
Diarrheagenic Escherichia colichildrendiarrheametabolomemicrobiota

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