Early-Life Demographic Factors Shape Gut Microbiome Patterns Associated with Rotavirus Gastroenteritis Severity.

Area of Science:

• Microbiome Research
• Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Gut Health

Background:

• Rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) is a major cause of infant diarrhea globally.
• The gut microbiome plays a role in RVGE, but its interaction with early-life factors and disease severity is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how demographic determinants influence gut microbiome composition and function in RVGE.
• To determine the relationship between these microbiome features and RVGE clinical severity.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 165 infants (120 RVGE cases, 45 controls) aged 0-12 months.
• Utilized 16S rRNA sequencing, statistical modeling, and machine learning.
• Analyzed the influence of demographic factors on microbiome composition and clinical outcomes.

Main Results:

• RVGE cases showed reduced bacterial diversity and distinct microbiome structures linked to dehydration severity.
• Beneficial bacteria (e.g., Akkermansia, Faecalibacterium, Bifidobacterium) were depleted, while inflammation-associated taxa (e.g., Escherichia-Shigella, Streptococcus) were enriched.
• Cesarean-delivered, formula-fed infants had dysbiotic microbiomes and longer hospitalizations compared to vaginally delivered, breastfed infants.

Conclusions:

• Early-life demographic factors shape the infant gut microbiome, influencing RVGE severity and recovery.
• Findings suggest potential biomarkers for risk stratification and targets for microbiota-based interventions in RVGE.