Quantification of Intestinal Lactobacillus Species in Children with Functional Constipation by Quantitative Real-Time PCR

BACKGROUND: Functional constipation is a common and annoying gastrointestinal disorder among children worldwide in which the intestinal microbiota composition plays a fundamental role. This study aimed to compare the quantity of main intestinal Lactobacillus species in constipated children and healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fecal samples were collected from 40 children fulfilling Rome IV criteria for functional constipation and 40 healthy volunteers. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method with species-specific primers was used to investigate seven main Lactobacillus species in fecal samples. RESULTS: Lactobacillus strains of the patient group were different from the healthy controls, main differences being noticeable decrease in the population quantity of Lactobacillus reuteri (mean 10(2.61) CFU/gram feces) and lower abundance of Lactobacillus fermentum (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Lactobacillus species might be quantitatively altered in childhood functional constipation. Our findings on the different species of Lactobacillus population showed significantly decreased quantity in the patient group compared with the healthy subjects.