Abstract
BackgroundThe prenatal maternal microbiome, including the gut microbiota, has been suggested to influence the incidence of allergies in offspring. Moreover, epidermal barrier dysfunction in early infancy has been attributed to the development of subsequent allergies. We hypothesized that the prenatal microbiome may affect the gut microbiota, acting as an initial trigger to alter immune development in the foetus. The maternal microbial composition may be linked to the prevalence of dermatitis in early infancy (DEI) of the offspring, leading to subsequent allergic symptoms. MethodsThis study was conducted as part of the Chiba Study of Mother and Child Health (C-MACH) birth cohort that was initiated in 2013; 434 healthy pregnant women at < 13 weeks of gestation were recruited. DEI was assessed for up to 4 months after birth, and allergic symptoms were determined in 10-month-old infants using questionnaires. Other information related to the maternal microbiome was obtained from questionnaires filled out during pregnancy. Stool samples were collected from pregnant women at 12 (n = 59) and 32 weeks (n = 58) of gestation, which were used for gut microbiota analysis using barcoded 16S rRNA gene sequencing. ResultsSymptoms of allergy, especially of inherited allergies, show a higher prevalence at 10 months after birth in the DEI group. DEI occurrence was negatively correlated with family size and cat ownership. The diversity of Proteobacteria at 12 weeks of gestation and the relative abundance of Actinobacteria at 32 weeks of gestation in maternal feces were lower at both time points of gestation in the DEI group. In addition, the diversity of Proteobacteria in prenatal feces was negatively correlated with family size at 12 weeks, and with dog ownership at both gestational time points. ConclusionsThe composition of the maternal microbiome may influence the risk of allergies in offspring, even before birth. Furthermore, the diversity of Proteobacteria and the relative abundance of Actinobacteria in maternal feces were negatively associated with DEI, which may be associated with the risk of allergy development in infancy. This early trigger may be a good predictor of allergy development during infancy and childhood.
Highlights
The prenatal maternal microbiome, including the gut microbiota, has been suggested to influence the incidence of allergies in offspring
The diversity of Proteobacteria at 12 weeks of gestation and the relative abundance of Actinobacteria at 32 weeks of gestation in maternal feces were lower at both time points of gestation in the dermatitis in early infancy (DEI) group
The diversity of Proteobacteria in prenatal feces was negatively correlated with family size at 12 weeks, and with dog ownership at both gestational time points
Summary
The prenatal maternal microbiome, including the gut microbiota, has been suggested to influence the incidence of allergies in offspring. The so-called “allergic march” represents the natural history of atopic manifestations, characterized by a typical sequence of progression of allergic symptoms in infancy from atopic dermatitis (AD) and food allergy (FA) to asthma and rhinitis.[2] Recent epidemiological studies suggest that exposure to food antigens through the skin contributes to allergic sensitization.[3] Children with eczema and epidermal barrier dysfunction have a higher risk of developing FA.[4,5] these children tend to have immune responses skewed towards type 2 T helper cells (Th2).[6] DEI can represent an early manifestation of allergies in infancy, presumably owing to an immunological alteration that occurs before birth,[7] leading to subsequent AD and wheezing[7] and proceeding along the allergic march throughout development.[8]
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