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Updated: Sep 22, 2025
Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
Published on: October 15, 2019
Gut Microbiome Composition Abnormalities Determined Using High-Throughput Sequencing in Children With Tic Disorder
Yanping Wang1, Houxi Xu2, Miao Jing1
1Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Wuxi Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China.
Insights
Children with tic disorder (TD) exhibit altered gut microbiota composition, with specific bacterial genera differing significantly compared to healthy controls. These gut microbiome changes may contribute to the development of TD.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Pediatric neurology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Tic disorder (TD) is a neurological condition affecting children.
- The gut microbiota's role in neurological disorders is an emerging area of research.
- Understanding gut microbiome alterations in TD may offer insights into its pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution characteristics of gut microbiota in children with tic disorder (TD).
- To explore the potential role of these gut microbiota characteristics in the pathogenesis of TD.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of gut microbiota composition between children with TD and age-matched healthy controls.
- Utilized 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing for bacterial taxa quantification.
- Included medical records of 28 children with TD and 21 healthy children.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in gut microbiota alpha diversity between groups.
- Beta diversity analysis successfully differentiated TD patients from controls.
- Significant differences observed in the abundance of specific bacterial phyla (Firmicutes, Actinobacteria) and genera (e.g., decreased Bifidobacterium, increased Prevotella) in children with TD.
Conclusions:
- The study identified abnormal gut microbiota composition in children with TD.
- Altered gut microbiota composition suggests a potential role in the development of tic disorders.
- Further research into the gut-brain axis in TD is warranted.
Object:
To investigate the distribution characteristics of gut microbiota in children with tic disorder (TD) and the possible role of these characteristics in the pathogenesis of TD.
Methods:
The medical records of 28 children with TD treated at Wuxi Children's Hospital from January 1 to October 31, 2020, and 21 age-matched healthy children (controls) were included. The relative quantification of bacterial taxa was performed using 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing.
Results:
There was no significant difference in the alpha diversity of gut microbiota between the TD and control groups. Analyses of beta diversity were able to differentiate the TD patients from the healthy controls based on their gut microbiota. At the phylum level, the two groups were mainly composed of four phyla, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria. There were significant differences in Firmicutes and Actinobacteria between the two groups (P <0.05). At the level of genera, the abundance of Bifidobacterium and Collinsella reduced while that of Ruminococcaceae unclassified, Prevotella, Faecalibacterium, Coprobacillus, and Odoribacter increased in the TD group compared to that in the control group. The intergroup differences were significant (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
The abnormal composition of gut microbiota in children with TD suggests that the change in gut microbiota may play an important role in TD development.
