Analysis of the Small Intestinal Microbiome of Children With Autism
Abstract
The entire microbial population of the duodenal mucosa of subjects with autism was analyzed to determine if there was an overgrowth of a specific populations of bacteria in comparison with unaffected subjects. Patient information, disaccharidase test results, and microbiome analysis were used for group comparison. Duodenal microbiota in autistic individuals was studied for the first time. Study population was represented by 21 autistic subjects and 19 unaffected subjects. Individuals in both groups had GI symptoms. Mucosa-associated microbiota in the duodenum was represented by Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria with no statistically significant difference between groups on fyla level. Numbers of bacteria of Pedobacter genus was significantly higher in subjects with autism but genera Neisseria, Shigella, Blautia, and Enterobacter were less abundant in autistic subjects than in controls. Statistically significant difference between autistic and non-autistic subjects was found for eight bacterial species. There was a correlation between disaccharidase activity (particularly lactase) and duodenal microbiota.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA584963
Entities
People
- Rafail Kushak
Organizations
- Massachusetts General Hospital