Gut Bacteria and Immune Responses in Rural Infants Linked to Diet and Diarrhea

Jim Crocker
17th September, 2024

Gut Bacteria and Immune Responses in Rural Infants Linked to Diet and Diarrhea

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study focused on the gut microbiota of infants from a rural province in Cambodia
  • Breast-fed infants had higher levels of beneficial Bifidobacterium, which aids in digestion and health
  • Pathogenic bacteria like Shigella and Klebsiella were more common in infants with recent diarrhoeal illness
The gut microbiota, the community of microorganisms residing in our intestines, plays a crucial role in human health. However, research into this area has largely focused on populations from high-income countries, leaving a significant gap in our understanding of the microbiota in infants from low- to middle-income countries. A recent study conducted by the University of Birmingham aims to address this gap by exploring the faecal microbiota composition and faecal cytokine profiles in a cohort of infants from a rural province in Cambodia[1]. The study analyzed faecal samples from 32 infants at three different time points to investigate the composition of their gut microbiota. The researchers used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to identify the bacterial communities present in the samples. Additionally, they examined faecal cytokine concentrations to understand the immune profiles of these infants. The study also looked into the impact of sample storage conditions and the infant's environment on microbiota composition. One of the key findings was the importance of sample storage methods. Storing faecal samples in a DNA preservation solution was found to be effective in preserving the abundance of Bacteroides, a significant genus in the gut microbiota. This finding is particularly relevant given the challenges of collecting and storing faecal samples in rural locations. The microbiota analysis revealed that Bifidobacterium was the most abundant genus in the samples, with Bifidobacterium longum being the most prevalent species. This abundance was higher in breast-fed infants, highlighting the beneficial impact of breastfeeding on gut microbiota composition. Interestingly, most infants had detectable levels of pathogenic bacteria, such as Shigella and Klebsiella, which were more abundant in those with recent diarrhoeal illness. This aligns with previous studies indicating the presence of pathogenic taxa in underrepresented populations[2]. The study also performed genomic analysis on faecal bacterial isolates, revealing gene clusters that enable the digestion of human milk oligosaccharides in Bifidobacterium longum and Bifidobacterium breve isolates. This finding underscores the role of these bacteria in infant nutrition and health. However, the presence of antibiotic-resistant genes in both pathogenic species and beneficial Bifidobacterium is concerning and warrants further investigation. In terms of immune profiles, the study found higher concentrations of Interleukin-1alpha and vascular endothelial growth factor in breast-fed infants. These cytokines play essential roles in immune response and inflammation, suggesting that breastfeeding may influence the immune development of infants. This study provides valuable insights into the gut microbiota of rural Cambodian infants, an underrepresented population in microbiome research. It highlights the significant impact of breastfeeding and pathogen exposure on gut microbiota composition and immune profiles. The findings also emphasize the need for more globally representative sampling in microbiome studies to better understand the diversity and health implications of human microbiota[3]. In conclusion, the research conducted by the University of Birmingham offers a much-needed glimpse into the gut microbiota of infants in low- to middle-income countries. By addressing the challenges of sample collection and storage in rural settings, the study provides a robust framework for future research in similar underrepresented populations. This work not only fills a critical gap in microbiome research but also underscores the importance of inclusivity in scientific studies to ensure that health benefits are extended to all populations.

MedicineNutritionHealth

References

Main Study

1) Faecal microbiota and cytokine profiles of rural Cambodian infants linked to diet and diarrhoeal episodes.

Published 14th September, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-024-00562-0

Related Studies

2) The internationalization of human microbiome research.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2019.09.012

3) Public human microbiome data are dominated by highly developed countries.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3001536


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