COVID-19: The protective role of the gut microbiota in children
A study from the Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital characterises for the first time the microbial profile that appears to protect young children from severe forms of the disease
Results published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
The profile of the intestinal microbiota of children with COVID-19 has been characterised for the first time and appears to protect them from severe forms of the disease
The sketch comes from researchers at the Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital who conducted a study – the first at international level – dedicated to the relationship between the microbiota and SARS-CoV-2 infection in paediatric age.
The research, just published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, suggests possible therapeutic interventions on the microbiota to help control the disease.
COVID-19 AND THE GUT MICROBIOTA, THE BAMBINO GESU STUDY
The study on the composition and function of the intestinal microbiota in paediatric patients with COVID-19 was conducted by the Human Microbiome Research Unit, directed by Prof. Lorenza Putignani, as part of the project ‘CACTUS – Immunological studies in children affected by COVID and acute diseases’ coordinated by Prof. Paolo Palma.
The investigation made use of the clinical collaboration of specialists from various hospital departments.
The research included 88 patients with symptoms of suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection, admitted between March and September 2020 to the COVID Centre in Palidoro and to the Gianicolo site of the Bambino Gesù.
Based on the result of the nasopharyngeal swab, they were divided into 2 groups: patients with COVID-19 (positive swab) and patients with another infection (negative swab).
Stool samples taken from each participant were analysed using metagenomic techniques (DNA sequencing of the entire gut microbial community) that allowed the researchers to define the composition of the microbiota.
The data from the two groups were then compared to each other and to a control group of healthy children. In addition, the study of microbiota function was also performed for the group with COVID-19.
THE RESULTS
The research showed that, as in adulthood, the gut microbiota of children with COVID-19 is altered and poorly diversified compared to that of patients with other infections or healthy children.
Specifically, it was found to be rich in bacteria with a predominantly pro-inflammatory action (Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria) and poor in certain ‘good’ micro-organisms (Actinobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Akkermansia, Blautia, Ruminococcus) that favour the maintenance of intestinal balance (homeostasis).
However, compared to the healthy group or those with other infections, a significant increase in Faecalibacterium, a bacterium known for its beneficial and anti-inflammatory properties that supports the immune system in defending the body, was also found in children with COVID-19.
In adult patients with the most severe form of COVID-19, the absence of this bacterium is described as an index of severity.
Furthermore, the functional study of the COVID microbiota revealed an increase in certain processes of microbial metabolism that also indirectly support an adequate immunological response.
GUT MICROBIOTA AND PROTECTION FROM COVID-19
Taken together, the data collected by the Bambino Gesù researchers point to a potential link between the function of the gut microbiota and the clinical course of COVID-19 in childhood.
The research team’s analyses support the hypothesis that – compared to adults – the microbiota of children, with its anti-inflammatory properties, contributes to reducing the severity of the infection.
The study opens up the hypothesis of therapeutic interventions on the microbiota to help control the evolution of important diseases, including COVID-19.
Results published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
Characterised for the first time the profile of the intestinal microbiota of children with COVID-19, which, thanks to special anti-inflammatory properties, appears to protect them from severe forms of the disease.
The identikit comes from researchers at the Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital who conducted a study – the first at international level – dedicated to the relationship between the microbiota and SARS-CoV-2 infection in paediatric age.
The research, just published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, suggests possible therapeutic interventions on the microbiota to help control the disease.
THE BAMBINO GESU STUDY
The study on the composition and function of the intestinal microbiota in paediatric patients with COVID-19 was conducted by the Human Microbiome Research Unit, directed by Prof. Lorenza Putignani, as part of the project ‘CACTUS – Immunological studies in children affected by COVID and acute diseases’ coordinated by Prof. Paolo Palma. The investigation made use of the clinical collaboration of specialists from various hospital departments.
The research included 88 patients with symptoms of suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection, admitted between March and September 2020 to the COVID Centre in Palidoro and to the Gianicolo site of the Bambino Gesù.
Based on the nasopharyngeal swab result, they were divided into 2 groups: patients with COVID-19 (positive swab) and patients with other infection (negative swab).
Stool samples taken from each participant were analysed using metagenomic techniques (DNA sequencing of the entire gut microbial community) that allowed the researchers to define the composition of the microbiota.
The data from the two groups were then compared to each other and to a control group of healthy children. In addition, the study of microbiota function was also performed for the group with COVID-19.
THE RESULTS
The research showed that, as in adulthood, the gut microbiota of children with COVID-19 is altered and poorly diversified compared to that of patients with other infections or healthy children.
Specifically, it was found to be rich in bacteria with a predominantly pro-inflammatory action (Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria) and poor in certain ‘good’ micro-organisms (Actinobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Akkermansia, Blautia, Ruminococcus) that favour the maintenance of intestinal balance (homeostasis).
However, compared to the healthy group or those with other infections, a significant increase in Faecalibacterium, a bacterium known for its beneficial and anti-inflammatory properties that supports the immune system in defending the body, was also found in children with COVID-19.
In adult patients with the most severe form of COVID-19, the absence of this bacterium is described as an index of severity.
Furthermore, the functional study of the COVID microbiota revealed an increase in certain processes of microbial metabolism that also indirectly support an adequate immunological response.
GUT MICROBIOTA AND PROTECTION FROM COVID-19
Taken together, the data collected by the Bambino Gesù researchers point to a potential link between the function of the gut microbiota and the clinical course of COVID-19 in childhood.
The research team’s analyses support the hypothesis that – compared to adults – the microbiota of children, with its anti-inflammatory properties, contributes to reducing the severity of the infection.
The study opens up the hypothesis of therapeutic interventions on the microbiota to help control the evolution of important diseases, including COVID-19.
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