Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children
10:42

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children

Published on: December 31, 2017

Oral microbiota characteristics in children younger than 3 years with febrile seizures: a prospective observational

Nan Shen1, Xiaoxue Shan1, Lu Zheng1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Suqian Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Suqian, People's Republic of China.

BMC Microbiology
|July 7, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Febrile seizures (FS) in young children are linked to changes in oral bacteria. Specific bacterial genera were found to be either increased or decreased in children experiencing FS, indicating an altered oral microbiome.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pediatrics
  • Genomics

Background:

  • The oral microbiota plays a crucial role in early childhood development and health.
  • Alterations in the oral microbiome have been implicated in various health conditions.
  • Understanding the oral microbiome in febrile seizures (FS) may provide insights into disease mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the oral microbiota composition and function in children younger than 3 years with febrile seizures (FS).
  • To identify specific bacterial taxa and metabolic pathways associated with FS in early childhood.

Main Methods:

  • Oral swab samples were collected from 48 children with FS and 47 healthy controls.
  • Bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequencing (V4 region) was performed to analyze microbial composition.
  • Alpha-diversity (Shannon, ACE indices) and beta-diversity (weighted/unweighted UniFrac) were assessed.
  • Exploratory supervised analysis (partial least squares discriminant analysis) and predicted functional analysis were conducted.

Main Results:

  • No significant difference in Shannon diversity between FS and control groups.
  • Significantly lower ACE index in the FS group, suggesting reduced richness.
  • Enrichment of Streptococcus, Prevotella, and Granulicatella in the FS group.
  • Depletion of Neisseria, Haemophilus, Porphyromonas, and Capnocytophaga in the FS group.
  • Predicted functional analysis indicated alterations in translation, replication, metabolism, and infectious disease pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Febrile seizures are associated with a selective ecological reconfiguration of the early-life oral microbiota.
  • Altered proportions of key oral bacterial genera are a primary feature of the FS-associated microbiome.
  • These findings highlight the potential role of the oral microbiome in the pathogenesis or as a biomarker of febrile seizures.

Keywords:
16S rRNA sequencingChildrenFebrile seizuresKey generaMicrobial ecologyOral microbiota

More Related Videos

Guided Protocol for Fecal Microbial Characterization by 16S rRNA-Amplicon Sequencing08:05

Guided Protocol for Fecal Microbial Characterization by 16S rRNA-Amplicon Sequencing

Published on: March 19, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics01:21

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics

Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...
The Oral Microbiota01:27

The Oral Microbiota

The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity, and disease...