Composition and diversity of the duodenal mucosa-associated microbiome in children with untreated coeliac disease

Abstract

Background. Intestinal microbiome may play a role in the pathogenesis of coeliac disease (CD). Studies comparing intestinal microbiome in children with and without CD are contradictory. Aim. To compare the composition and diversity of the duodenal mucosa-associated microbiome in children with untreated CD and control children without CD and to identify specific gut bacteria associated with CD at diagnosis. Methods. Total microbiome profile in small bowel biopsies of 42 children (21 with untreated CD and 21 age-matched controls) were analyzed by means of IS-pro, a 16S-23S interspacer (IS) region-based profiling method. Results. Both groups showed a similar mucosa-associated microbiome pattern and diversity, with high concentrations of the genera Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, and Clostridium. Conclusion. Mucosa-associated duodenal microbiome composition and diversity did not differ between children with untreated CD and control children. Duodenal mucosa-associated bacteria do not seem to play an important role in the pathogenesis of CD.

Key Words::

• coeliac disease
• duodenal mucosa-associated microbiome
• IS-pro
• pathogenesis

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.