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The virota and its transkingdom interactions in the healthy infant gut

Leen Beller1, Ward Deboutte1, Sara Vieira-Silva2,3

  • 1Laboratory of Viral Metagenomics, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|March 23, 2022
PubMed

Insights

The infant gut rapidly acquires bacteria and viruses (phages) after birth, influencing immune development. Viral populations increase significantly after day-care entry, offering insights into gut microbial dynamics.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The infant gut microbiota plays a crucial role in immune system development.
  • Early life microbial colonization is a dynamic process influenced by various factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the temporal dynamics of microbial colonization, including bacteria and viruses (phages), in the infant gut.
  • To establish high-resolution baseline data for understanding early gut microbial ecosystems.

Main Methods:

  • High-resolution temporal sampling of the infant gut microbiota.
  • Identification and quantification of bacteria and viruses (phages).

Main Results:

  • Rapid colonization of the infant gut by bacteria and their viruses (phages) post-birth, often showing co-occurrence.
  • Viral loads increase significantly after day-care entrance, with no apparent clinical signs.
  • Plant-infecting viruses were detected, reflecting infant diet; fungi and parasites were not stable components.

Conclusions:

  • Early gut microbial colonization by bacteria and viruses is critical for immune development.
  • The dynamics of phage-bacterial interactions and the impact of diet on viral communities are significant.
  • Established baseline data are valuable for studying pathogenic viruses and disturbed infant microbiomes.

Keywords:
infantmicrobiotatranskingdomviromevirota

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