Gut Microbiota Differences in Infants with Cow-Milk-Induced Allergic Proctocolitis: A Comparative Cross-Sectional...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
• Gastroenterology
• Microbiome Research

Background:

• Cow's milk-induced allergic proctocolitis (CMIAP) is a non-IgE-mediated hypersensitivity in infants.
• Understanding CMIAP pathophysiology is key for developing microbiota-based interventions.
• CMIAP may increase risk for IgE-mediated allergies and eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the gut microbiota composition in infants with CMIAP.
• To identify specific bacterial taxa associated with CMIAP.
• To explore the relationship between maternal dairy intake and infant gut microbiota in CMIAP.

Main Methods:

• Faecal samples from 16 exclusively breastfed infants with CMIAP and 16 healthy controls were analyzed.
• 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed using the Illumina NovaSeq platform.
• Diversity and differential abundance analyses were conducted to compare microbiota profiles.

Main Results:

• Infants with CMIAP showed distinct gut microbiota profiles compared to controls.
• A lower abundance of beneficial bacteria, including Bifidobacterium, Collinsella, and Limosilactobacillus, was observed in the CMIAP group.
• An increased abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria such as Hungatella, Veillonella, Citrobacter, and Ruminococcus gnavus was found in infants with CMIAP.

Conclusions:

• Infants with CMIAP exhibit gut dysbiosis characterized by reduced beneficial commensals and increased potential pathogens.
• These microbiota alterations appear independent of maternal dairy intake.
• Further research is needed to determine if these changes are causal or consequential to CMIAP.