Characterization of gut microbiome profile in children with confirmed wheat allergy

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Food allergies pose serious health risks, including life-threatening anaphylactic reactions, increased morbidity, and reduced quality of life. Wheat allergy is a common concern in Asia. There is growing interest in understanding the potential association between dysregulation of the gut microbiome and the development of food allergies. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the gut microbiome of Thai children with wheat allergy and its potential association with allergic responses. METHODS: Microbial abundance was assessed using Quantitative Insights into Microbial Ecology 2 (QIIME2) microbiome analysis based on 16S rDNA data. The correlation between microbial richness and relevant parameters was evaluated using the Spearman correlation analysis. Additionally, the microbial community functions were predicted using Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt2). RESULTS: The gut microbiome analysis revealed significant differences between the two groups at the phylum and genus levels. Firmicutes (p = 0.012) and Verrucomicrobia (p < 0.001) were enriched in wheat-allergic children, whereas specific gut microbes such as Megamonas (p = 0.04), Romboutsia (p < 0.001), Fusobacterium (p < 0.001), Clostridium senso stricto1 (p < 0.001), and Turicibacter (p < 0.001) were more abundant in healthy children. Anaerostripes (p = 0.011), Erysipelatoclostridium (p < 0.001), Prevotella 2 (p < 0.001), Ruminiclostridium 5 (p < 0.001), and Clostridium innnocuum (p < 0.001) were enriched in children with a confirmed wheat allergy. Functional analysis indicated disparities in the pathways related to arginine and polyamine biosynthesis. CONCLUSION: These findings offer valuable insights into the gut microbiome of children with wheat allergy and its potential impact on symptom severity, laying the groundwork for further research and interventions aimed at addressing this health concern.