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Fecal and mucosal microbiota profiling in pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases
Lorenza Putignani1, Salvatore Oliva2, Sara Isoldi2
1Scientific Institute Pediatric Hospital "Bambino Gesù".
Insights
Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients show distinct gut microbiota profiles compared to controls. This study highlights specific bacterial changes in fecal and mucosal samples, offering insights for personalized IBD treatments.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Altered gut microbiota is linked to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).
- Previous studies focused on adult fecal samples, with less attention to pediatric mucosal microbiota.
- This research investigates gut microbiota in pediatric IBD patients using both fecal and mucosal samples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define the gut microbiota profile in pediatric IBD patients.
- To compare fecal and colonic mucosal microbiota (inflamed and non-inflamed) between IBD and control children.
- To identify specific bacterial alterations associated with pediatric IBD.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of fecal and colonic samples from pediatric IBD patients (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis) and controls.
- 16S rRNA sequencing to determine bacterial relative abundance at phylum and genus/species levels.
- Assessment of bacterial diversity in fecal and mucosal microbiota.
Main Results:
- Distinct fecal and mucosal microbiota compositions were observed between pediatric IBD patients and controls.
- Reduced bacterial richness was found in the fecal microbiota of IBD patients.
- Increased abundance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria, and reduced anti-inflammatory Ruminococcus species were noted in IBD fecal samples. Fusobacterium dominated inflamed IBD mucosal areas.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric IBD patients exhibit significant gut microbiota alterations, including an abundance of proinflammatory species.
- Specific microbial profiles were detected in inflamed mucosal tissues.
- Gut microbiota analysis holds potential for personalized IBD treatment strategies in children.
Background:
An altered gut microbiota profile has been widely documented in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The intestinal microbial community has been more frequently investigated in the stools than at the level of the mucosa, while most of the studies have been performed in adults. We aimed to define the gut microbiota profile either by assessing fecal and colonic mucosa samples (inflamed or not) from pediatric IBD patients.
Patients And Methods:
Fecal and colonic samples from pediatric IBD (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) and controls were analyzed. The relative abundance of bacteria at phylum and genus/species levels and bacterial diversity were determined through 16S rRNA sequence-based of fecal and mucosal microbiota analysis.
Results:
A total of 59 children with IBD (26 Crohn's disease, 33 ulcerative colitis) and 39 controls were analyzed. A clear separation between IBD and controls in the overall composition of fecal and mucosal microbiota was found, as well as a reduced bacterial richness in the fecal microbiota of IBD. At the phylum level, abundance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria occurred in fecal microbiota of IBD, while species with anti-inflammatory properties (i.e., Ruminococcus) were reduced. Fusobacterium prevailed in inflamed IBD areas in comparison to noninflamed and controls samples.
Conclusion:
Significant alterations in gut microbiota profile were shown in our IBD pediatric patients, in whom an abundance of species with a proinflammatory mucosal activity was clearly detected. An analysis of gut microbiota could be incorporated in designing personalized IBD treatment scenarios in future.
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