Prevalence of Sutterella wadsworthensis in the fecal microbiota of obese children

Abstract

Sutterella wadsworthensis are Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, bile-resistant, microaerophilic bacteria. IgA-specific serine endopeptidase is among one of the crucial biochemical traits of S. wadsworthensis. In scientific publications, Sutterella spp. has been linked to ulcerative colitis, autism spectrum disorder, and obesity in children. Moreover, after analyzing various clinical complications in obese patients, it was found that Sutterella spp. influences an increase in insulin resistance, which subsequently leads to the development of type 2 diabetes. Here, the fecal microbiome from 156 patients in the pediatric department was analyzed, of which 23 children comprised control group, 23 children — with obesity lacking concomitant pathology, 110 children — with obesity and concomitant pathology. The study was aimed at determining a correlation between microorganism S. wadsworthensis and types of obesity in children as well as its role in developing this pathology. As a result, a direct relationship was revealed between the isolated bacillus and obesity without concomitant pathology in girls vs boys aged 14 to 17 years, and data were also obtained that S. wadsworthensis was isolated significantly more often. In addition, it was decided to analyze microorganisms associated with S. wadsworthensis in order to identify microbiome members characteristic of obese people. Statistical processing revealed a marked significant positive correlation with the isolation of Streptococcus spp., S. anginosus, C. perfringens, S. aureus and W. confusa. In addition, the ability of S. wadsworthensis to reduce the functionality of the intestinal antibacterial immune response due to the enzyme IgA-specific serine endopeptidase can lead to developing inflammation and penetration of various pathobionts into enterocytes. Thus, our and others study results indicate the controversial importance and a need to further investigate S. wadsworthensis both in obesity and other gastrointestinal diseases.