Characterization of gut microbiota in children with pulmonary tuberculosis

BACKGROUND: Gut microbiota plays a critical role in many important physiological processes and is linked with various pulmonary infectious diseases. The relationship between pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and gut microbiota has been poorly studied. The present study aimed to characterize gut microbiota in pediatric patients with PTB. METHODS: A case-controlled study was executed for the characterization of gut microbiota in pediatric PTB patients. Fecal samples were collected from the PTB patients and healthy controls upon admission. In addition, a one-month follow-up assessment was performed to investigate alterations in the gut microbiota post anti-tuberculosis treatment. 16SrDNA sequencing analysis of fecal DNA was completed on the Illumina MiSeq platform. RESULTS: Compared with healthy controls, the gut microbiota of pediatric patients with PTB was characterized by decreased microbial diversity. PTB patients further presented an up-regulation of the pro-inflammatory bacteria Prevotella, the opportunistic pathogen Enterococcus, as well as a reduction of beneficial bacteria including Ruminococcaceae, Bifidobacteriaceae and prausnitzii. One-month after anti-tuberculosis therapy, the richness of gut microbiota in PTB patients was distinctly depleted. CONCLUSIONS: The gut microbiota of pediatric patients with PTB was significantly distinct from healthy controls. Additionally, the richness of gut microbiota in PTB patients decreased after one-month anti-tuberculosis treatment. It is hypothesized that the homeostasis of gut microbiota in PTB patients may affect the pathogenies of PTB by de-regulation of the hosts’ immune status through the gut-lung axis.