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The pediatric ocular surface microbiome in pet-owning households
Xiangtian Ling1, Charlene C Yim1,2,3, Qihang Sun1
1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Insights
Household pets alter the pediatric ocular surface microbiome (OSM). Pet exposure increases microbial diversity and activates immune pathways, potentially influencing allergy development in children.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Pet exposure is linked to childhood allergies.
- The impact of pets on the pediatric ocular surface microbiome (OSM) is unknown.
- The OSM may mediate ocular immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in the pediatric OSM due to household pet contact.
- To explore the relationship between pet exposure and OSM composition and function.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 347 children (5-15 years).
- 16S rRNA sequencing of conjunctival swabs.
- Bioinformatic and functional prediction analyses (QIIME2, DADA2, SILVA 138, PICRUSt2).
Main Results:
- Pet-exposed children showed higher OSM alpha diversity (Shannon, Simpson, Observed indexes).
- Distinct beta diversity and enriched genera (Streptococcus, Actinomyces, Neisseria) were observed in pet-exposed children.
- Enriched NF-κB and VEGF signaling pathways in pet-exposed children; increased macrolide biosynthesis in non-exposed.
Conclusions:
- Pet exposure modifies the pediatric OSM, increasing diversity and environmental taxa.
- NF-κB and VEGF pathway activation suggests a novel mechanism for pet-related immune modulation.
- Changes in OSM may influence ocular surface health and allergy susceptibility in children.
Introduction:
Pet exposure is associated with the allergy development in children. The influence of pet exposure on the pediatric ocular surface microbiome (OSM), a potential mediator of ocular immunity, remains uncharacterized. This study investigates OSM alterations in children with household pet contact.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, conjunctival swabs from 347 children (aged 5-15 years) in the CUHK Hong Kong Children Eye Study were analyzed. 16S rRNA sequencing (V3-V4 region) was performed, followed by bioinformatic analysis (QIIME2, DADA2, SILVA 138) and functional prediction (PICRUSt2). Alpha/beta diversity, taxonomic composition, and KEGG pathways were compared.
Results:
Pet-exposed children had higher alpha diversity (Shannon/Simpson/Observed indexes; P < 0.05) with positive dose-response to contact time. Compositionally, these children showed distinct beta diversity (Bray-Curtis Distance, P = 0.015) and enriched genera (Streptococcus, Actinomyces, Neisseria; LDA Score > 2.0). NF-κB signaling and VEGF signaling were predicted to enrich in pet-exposed children while non-exposed children showed increased macrolide biosynthesis pathways.
Conclusion:
Pet exposure associates with increased diversity, enrichment of taxa associated with animals and the environment, and NF-κB/VEGF pathway activation in the pediatric OSM. This suggests OSM as a novel mechanism for pet-related immune modulation, potentially influencing ocular surface health and allergy susceptibility.
