Decreased Fecal Bacterial Diversity and Altered Microbiome in Children Colonized With Clostridium difficile

Objectives: The gut microbiome is believed to play a role in the susceptibility to and treatment of Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs). It is, however, unknown whether the gut microbiome is also affected by asymptomatic C difficile colonization. Our study aimed to evaluate the fecal microbiome of children based on C difficile colonization, and CDI risk factors, including antibiotic use and comorbid inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: Subjects with IBD and non-IBD controls were prospectively enrolled from pediatric clinics for a biobanking project (nā€Š=ā€Š113). A fecal sample was collected from each subject for research purposes only and was evaluated for asymptomatic toxigenic C difficile colonization. Fecal microbiome composition was determined by 16S rRNA sequencing. Results: We found reduced bacterial diversity and altered microbiome composition in subjects with C difficile colonization, concurrent antibiotic use, and/or concomitant IBD (all Pā€Š
Source: Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition - Category: Gastroenterology Tags: Original Articles: Gastroenterology Source Type: research