Deviations in the gut microbiota of neonates affected by maternal group B Streptococcus colonization

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Neonatal Health
• Gut Microbiome Research

Background:

• Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a primary cause of neonatal infections like septicemia, meningitis, and pneumonia.
• Early-life gut dysbiosis is associated with later-life diseases.
• The relationship between gut microbial alterations and GBS colonization remains poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the associations between gut microbial composition and GBS colonization in neonates.
• To identify specific microbial taxa that differ between GBS-colonized and non-colonized infants.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of meconium microbiota composition and diversity.
• Utilized linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LEfSe) to identify differentially abundant taxa.
• Compared microbiota between neonates with and without GBS colonization.

Main Results:

• Meconium microbiota composition and diversity were similar between GBS and control groups.
• Identified specific differentially abundant taxa between the groups (LDA effect size, p < 0.05, LDA > 2.0).
• Significantly reduced relative abundance of Lactobacillus paracasei was observed in GBS-colonized neonates.

Conclusions:

• The study provides evidence of initial intestinal microbiota dysbiosis in neonates with maternal GBS colonization.
• Identified specific bacterial species associated with GBS colonization.
• Suggests a potential role for Lactobacillus paracasei in GBS colonization.