Affiliation:
1. Almazov National Medical Research Center
2. St Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University
3. Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University
4. Institute of Immunology; DNA-Technology LLC
Abstract
Introduction. Intestinal microbiota is a complex and unique system in its composition, performing a huge number of diverse functions in the body. Its formation begins in utero.Aim. To study the features of the parietal and cavity intestinal microbiota in children born to mothers suffering from moderate bronchial asthma, depending on the mode of delivery.Material and methods. A prospective longitudinal study was carried out, which included children from the first day of life to 12 months. A total of 68 children at high risk of atopy (HRA) from mothers with asthma were included, of whom 22 were born by cesarean section and 46 were born through the vaginal birth canal. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of GM was carried out by real-time PCR with group- and species-specific primers: in the examined children, the dynamics of 4 phylums including 31 microorganisms was assessed. The child’s feces and brush-biopsy were taken from the rectum at 7 control points of measurement.Results and discussion. The data obtained showed that the method of delivery has an impact on the formation of the intestinal microbiota: in children born by cesarean section, in the parietal microbiota, starting from the age of 1–2 months, and in the cavity microbiota – 3–4 months, representatives of phylum Firmicutes (Clostridium leptum gr m.). In children born through the vaginal birth canal, all the first 8 months of life in the cavity and parietal microbiota were dominated by representatives of phylum Bacteroidetes (Bacteroides spp., Prevotella spp.). Clostridium leptum can be a marker of an inflammatory process in the intestinal mucosa in children at high risk of atopy. The research conducted over the past few years has found that Clostridium leptum promotes the secretion of anti-inflammatory (IL-10 and IL-12) and inhibition of the production of pro-inflammatory (IL-8) cytokines, and also boosts the number of Treg cells.Conclusion. The mode of delivery in children with a high risk of atopy is an additional epigenetic factor that influences the nature of both the parietal and cerebrospinal microbiota.