Characteristics of the Gut Microbiota in Obese Children with Allergic Diseases

Abstract

There are many evidences, that obesity increases the risk of asthma and atopic diseases. Therefore, misbalance in the gut microbiota is considered one of the micro ecological factors responsible for the increase of body mass and changes in energy metabolism. The aim of study was to investigate the characteristics of children gut microbiota, and to recognize relations with obesity, as well as allergic disorders. The study included patients of both sexes from 3 up to 17 years old: 43 with a Body Mass Index (BMI) from 23.16 to 40.28 with history of allergic diseases; and 24 children without allergies with BMI from 14.27 to 48.96. Children with allergic diseases we observed atopic dermatitis - 41.46%, asthma - 17.07%, allergic rhinitis -21.95%, food allergies - 9.76%. Condition of gut microbiota we evaluated by analysis of fecal samples and identification of microorganisms. Quantity of Enterococcus and Staphylococcus was higher than in children without allergies (56% vs. 33%; 44% vc. 17%, p=0,05 respectively). The proportion of S. aureus negatively correlated with BMI (r=-0.39, p=0.047) in allergic children, while in non-allergic children of group of children number of Bacteroides and Bifidobacteria negatively correlated with BMI (r=-0.53, p=0.010; r=-0.42, p=0.046 respectively), but the proportion of Clostridia positively correlated with BMI (r=0.56, p=0.006). Thus, we identified and characterized the qualitative and quantitative values of gut microbiota in obese children with allergy.