Gut Microbiota Variations between Henoch-Schonlein Purpura and Henoch-Schonlein Purpura Nephritis

BACKGROUND: In China, little is known regarding the differences between children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) and Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis (HSPN) concerning their gut microbiota. METHODS: We recruited 25 children with HSP, 25 children with HSPN, and 25 healthy children to investigate the differences. Fecal samples were collected and analyzed by sequencing the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. The diversity of the fecal gut microbiota was compared between the patient groups. RESULTS: Rarefaction curves showed that the gut microbial diversity between the three groups differed significantly (P = 0.0224). The top five most abundant gut microbial genera were Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium, Prevotella, Ruminococcaceae, and Megamonas in children with HSP; Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium, Prevotella, Bifidobacterium, and Ruminococcaceae in children with HSPN; and Bacteroides, Prevotella, Faecalibacterium, Ruminococcaceae, and Bifidobacterium in healthy children. Children with HSP had the lowest Bifidobacterium abundance among the three groups (P < 0.05). Children with HSPN had a lower abundance of Akkermansia than children with HSP (P < 0.05), whereas children with HSPN had a higher Alistipes abundance than children with HSP (P < 0.05). Fecal microbial community composition did not differ significantly between groups (ANOSIM, R = −0.002, P = 0.46). Despite the small sample size, our results indicate that children with HSP or HSPN displayed dysbiosis of the gut microbiota. CONCLUSION: This study provides valuable insights that will benefit the development of future microbe-based therapies to improve clinical outcomes or prevent the incidence of HSP or HSPN in children.