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The Effects of Genetic Relatedness on the Preterm Infant Gut Microbiota
Shen Jean Lim1,2, Miriam Aguilar-Lopez3, Christine Wetzel4
1College of Nursing, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
Insights
Genetic relatedness influences preterm infant gut microbiota. Siblings showed correlated gut microbial alpha diversity and shared taxa, suggesting genetic or shared environmental effects.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Neonatology
- Genetics
Background:
- Preterm infant gut microbiota is shaped by multiple factors.
- Sibling gut microbial composition is known to be similar, but the impact of genetic relatedness on preterm infants is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how genetic relatedness affects alpha diversity and specific taxa abundances in preterm infants.
- To analyze the gut microbial composition in preterm infants based on sibling status and postnatal age.
Main Methods:
- 16S rRNA gene sequencing of stool samples from preterm multiplets and singletons.
- Analysis of clinical data including weeks on bovine milk-based fortifier (BMF) and weight gain velocity.
- Statistical correlation of microbial diversity and composition between siblings, controlling for clinical factors.
Main Results:
- Bovine milk-based fortifier (BMF) and weight gain velocity significantly predicted alpha diversity.
- Sibling gut microbial alpha diversity was significantly correlated, especially within the first 3 weeks postnatal and at the Tampa General Hospital NICU.
- Siblings exhibited higher gut microbial composition similarity than unrelated individuals, with 30 common operational taxonomic units (OTUs) correlated between siblings across time points.
Conclusions:
- Gut microbial similarities between preterm infant siblings suggest significant genetic or shared maternal and environmental influences.
- Factors like BMF and weight gain velocity also play a role in shaping preterm infant gut microbial diversity.
Abstract:
The preterm infant gut microbiota is influenced by environmental, endogenous, maternal, and genetic factors. Although siblings share similar gut microbial composition, it is not known how genetic relatedness affects alpha diversity and specific taxa abundances in preterm infants. We analyzed the 16S rRNA gene content of stool samples, ≤ and >3 weeks postnatal age, and clinical data from preterm multiplets and singletons at two Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), Tampa General Hospital (TGH; FL, USA) and Carle Hospital (IL, USA). Weeks on bovine milk-based fortifier (BMF) and weight gain velocity were significant predictors of alpha diversity. Alpha diversity between siblings were significantly correlated, particularly at ≤3 weeks postnatal age and in the TGH NICU, after controlling for clinical factors. Siblings shared higher gut microbial composition similarity compared to unrelated individuals. After residualizing against clinical covariates, 30 common operational taxonomic units were correlated between siblings across time points. These belonged to the bacterial classes Actinobacteria, Bacilli, Bacteroidia, Clostridia, Erysipelotrichia, and Negativicutes. Besides the influence of BMF and weight variables on the gut microbial diversity, our study identified gut microbial similarities between siblings that suggest genetic or shared maternal and environmental effects on the preterm infant gut microbiota.
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