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Evaluation of Intestinal Microbiota in Children With Sickle Cell Disease
Feryal Karahan1, Serap Süzük Yilmaz2, Fatma Bayrakdar2
1Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Mersin University Faculty of Medicine.
Insights
Gut microbial diversity differs in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) compared to healthy individuals. While distinct microbiota profiles exist in SCD patients, these differences did not correlate with clinical outcomes like vaso-occlusive crisis.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Hematology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a severe hemolytic anemia with multisystemic complications.
- Understanding factors influencing SCD pathophysiology is crucial for reducing morbidity and mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare gut microbial diversity in pediatric SCD patients versus healthy controls.
- To investigate the clinical impact of gut microbiota alterations in SCD.
Main Methods:
- 16S rRNA sequencing of stool samples from 34 SCD patients and 41 healthy controls.
- Analysis of complete blood count, C-reactive protein, and clinical data (VOC, ACS, transfusions, medications).
Main Results:
- SCD patients exhibited higher white blood cell, hemoglobin, immature granulocyte, and C-reactive protein levels.
- Three distinct microbial clusters were identified: controls, and two within the SCD group (G1, G2).
- Bacteroides spp. were more prevalent, while Dialister spp. and Prevotella spp. were less prevalent in SCD patients.
Conclusions:
- Significant differences in gut microbiota composition exist between pediatric SCD patients and healthy individuals.
- Two distinct gut microbial profiles were observed within the SCD patient cohort.
- No correlation was found between these distinct microbiota profiles and clinical manifestations such as vaso-occlusive crisis or acute chest syndrome.
Background And Aims:
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic hemolytic anemia that may be life-threatening due to multisystemic effects. Identification of the factors which affect the pathophysiology of the disease is important in reducing mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to determine gut microbial diversity in children and adolescents with SCA compared with healthy volunteers and to evaluate the clinical impact of microbiota.
Materials And Methods:
The study included 34 children and young adolescents with SCD and 41 healthy volunteer participants. The microbiome was assessed by 16S rRNA sequencing in stool samples. Laboratory parameters of all participants, such as complete blood count and C-reactive protein values and clinical characteristics of SCD patients, were determined and compared, as well as clinical conditions of the patients, such as vascular occlusive crisis and/or acute chest syndrome, frequency of transfusions, intake of penicillin, hydroxyurea, and chelation therapy were recorded.
Results:
White blood cell count, hemoglobin, immature granulocyte and C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher in the patient group ( P <0.05). Microbiota analysis revealed 3 different clusters among subjects; controls and 2 clusters in the SCD patients (patient G1 and G2 groups). Bacteroides spp. were more prevalent, while Dialester spp. and Prevotella spp. were less prevalent in SCD compared with controls ( t =2.142, P <0.05). Patient G2 (n=9) had a higher prevalence of Bacteroides and a lower prevalence of Prevotella than patient G1 (n=25).
Conclusion:
In our study, there was a difference between SCD patients and the control group, while 2 different microbiota profiles were encountered in SCD patients. This difference between the microbiota of the patients was not found to affect the clinical picture (such as vascular occlusive crisis, acute chest syndrome).
