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Updated: Nov 8, 2025
Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
Bacterial-fungal interactions in the neonatal gut influence asthma outcomes later in life
Rozlyn Ct Boutin1,2, Charisse Petersen2, Sarah E Woodward1,2
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Abstract:
Bacterial members of the infant gut microbiota and bacterial-derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have been shown to be protective against childhood asthma, but a role for the fungal microbiota in asthma etiology remains poorly defined. We recently reported an association between overgrowth of the yeast Pichia kudriavzevii in the gut microbiota of Ecuadorian infants and increased asthma risk. In the present study, we replicated these findings in Canadian infants and investigated a causal association between early life gut fungal dysbiosis and later allergic airway disease (AAD). In a mouse model, we demonstrate that overgrowth of P. kudriavzevii within the neonatal gut exacerbates features of type-2 and -17 inflammation during AAD later in life. We further show that P. kudriavzevii growth and adherence to gut epithelial cells are altered by SCFAs. Collectively, our results underscore the potential for leveraging inter-kingdom interactions when designing putative microbiota-based asthma therapeutics.
Insights
Infant gut yeast overgrowth, specifically *Pichia kudriavzevii*, is linked to increased asthma risk. This fungal dysbiosis can worsen allergic airway disease, highlighting the importance of gut fungi in childhood asthma development.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Immunology
- Pediatric allergy
Background:
- Bacterial gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are known protective factors against childhood asthma.
- The role of the gut fungal microbiota in asthma etiology is not well understood.
- Previous research linked *Pichia kudriavzevii* overgrowth in infants to higher asthma risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To replicate findings on *Pichia kudriavzevii* and asthma risk in a new infant cohort.
- To investigate a causal link between early-life gut fungal dysbiosis and allergic airway disease (AAD).
- To explore the impact of *Pichia kudriavzevii* on AAD development and the influence of SCFAs.
Main Methods:
- Replication study in Canadian infants.
- Utilized a mouse model to study the causal association between neonatal gut *P. kudriavzevii* overgrowth and AAD.
- Investigated the effect of SCFAs on *P. kudriavzevii* growth and adherence to gut epithelial cells.
Main Results:
- Findings on *P. kudriavzevii* overgrowth and increased asthma risk were replicated in Canadian infants.
- Neonatal gut overgrowth of *P. kudriavzevii* in a mouse model exacerbated type-2 and -17 inflammation in AAD.
- Short-chain fatty acids were shown to modulate *P. kudriavzevii* growth and its adherence to gut epithelial cells.
Conclusions:
- Early-life gut fungal dysbiosis, particularly *Pichia kudriavzevii* overgrowth, is causally associated with allergic airway disease.
- Interactions between gut fungi and host immunity play a significant role in asthma development.
- Targeting inter-kingdom microbial interactions, specifically fungal components, may offer novel therapeutic strategies for asthma.
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