Microbiome profiling of rotavirus infected children suffering from acute gastroenteritis

Muhammad U Sohail1, Hebah A Al Khatib2, Asmaa A Al Thani2,3

  • 1Proteomics Core, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, P.O. Box 24811, Doha, Qatar.

Gut Pathogens
|March 30, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Rotavirus infection alters gut microbiome diversity, increasing Proteobacteria and Fusobacteria. Rotavirus vaccination (RVV) shows dose-dependent effects on gut microbes, suggesting potential for enhanced vaccine efficacy through microbiome manipulation.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Rotavirus (RV) is a major global cause of pediatric diarrhea and mortality.
  • RV infection can lead to microbial dysbiosis, impacting disease outcomes and chronic disease development.
  • The gut microbiome's role in the immune response to rotavirus vaccines (RVV) requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the gut microbiome composition in RV-positive children.
  • To compare gastroenteritis manifestations in relation to the gut microbiome.
  • To assess the impact of rotavirus vaccination on the gut microbiome.

Main Methods:

  • Stool samples were collected from 39 RV-positive children and 8 healthy controls.
  • 16S rRNA sequencing was performed using the Illumina MiSeq platform.
  • Microbiome diversity and composition were analyzed, including comparisons between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups.

Main Results:

  • RV infection significantly increased microbiome diversity, with higher relative abundances of Proteobacteria, Fusobacteria, and Streptococcus.
  • Two doses of RVV were associated with distinct microbiome clustering, higher species richness, and increased Bacteroidetes and Verrucomicrobia.
  • Microbiome composition changes were not directly correlated with diarrhea, vomiting, or other gastroenteritis symptoms.

Conclusions:

  • Rotavirus vaccination elicits significant, dose-dependent microbial signatures in the gut microbiome.
  • Manipulating gut microbes may offer a novel strategy to enhance RVV efficacy.
  • Further research is needed to explore immune status and mechanisms for improving RVV seroconversion.
Abstract