16S Ribosomal RNA-based Gut Microbiome Composition Analysis in Infants with Breast Milk Jaundice

BACKGROUND: This case-control study investigated an association between breast milk jaundice (BMJ) and infants’ gut microbiome. The study included determination of the diversity of the gut microbiome and identification of bacterial genera associated with BMJ. METHODS: The study population consisted of 12 infants with BMJ and 22 breastfed infants without jaundice (control). DNA collected from feces was analyzed by PCR amplification and 1% agarose gel electrophoresis, and then sequenced with a MiSeq system. Relative quantification bioinformatics was employed to analyze the DNA sequencing data. An Illumina high-throughput sequencing platform was used to analyze 16S rRNA variable (V) regions V3 and V4 in stool samples. RESULTS: In the control group, the proportion of Escherichia/Shigella (genus level) in the gut microbiome (64.67%) was significantly higher than that of the BMJ group. However, the prevalence of Bifidobacterium or Enterococcus in the gut microbiome of the two groups was similar. The Simpson index indicated that the diversity of the bacterial population in the BMJ infants was significantly narrower than in the normal infants. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of Escherichia/Shigella in the gut of breastfed infants is important for lowering BMJ development.