Abstract
BackgroundThe allergy epidemic resulting from western environment/lifestyles is potentially due to modifications of the human microbiome. Therefore, it is of interest to study immigrants living in a western environment as well as their counterparts in the country of origin to understand differences in their microbiomes and health status. MethodsWe investigated 58 Australian Chinese (AC) children from Perth, Western Australia as well as 63 Chinese-born Chinese (CC) children from a city in China. Oropharyngeal (OP) and fecal samples were collected. To assess the microbiomes, 16s ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing for variable regions V3 and V4 was used. Skin prick tests (SPT) were performed to measure the children's atopic status. Information on food allergy and wheezing were acquired from a questionnaire. ResultsAC children had more allergic conditions than CC children. The alpha diversity (mean species diversity) of both OP and gut microbiome was lower in AC children compared to CC children for richness estimate (Chao1), while diversity evenness (Shannon index) was higher. The beta diversity (community similarity) displayed a distinct separation of the OP and gut microbiota between AC and CC children. An apparent difference in microbial abundance was observed for many bacteria. In AC children, we sought to establish consistent trends in bacterial relative abundance that are either higher or lower in AC versus CC children and higher or lower in children with allergy versus those without allergy. The majority of OP taxa showed a consistent trend while the majority of fecal taxa showed a contrasting trend. ConclusionDistinct differences in microbiome compositions were found in both oropharyngeal and fecal samples of AC and CC children. The association of the OP microbiome with allergic condition is different from that of the gut microbiome in AC children. The microbiome profiles are changed by the western environment/lifestyle and are associated with allergies in Chinese immigrant children in Australia.
Highlights
The rising prevalence of asthma and allergies has become a global public health concern, and there are wide variations between countries.[1, 2] The prevalence of adult asthma is highest in developed countries, such as Australia (21.0%), while it is the lowest in developing countries, such as China (0.2%).[3]
The microbiome profiles are changed by the western environment/lifestyle and are associated with allergies in Chinese immigrant children in Australia
To examine the hypothesis of the western microbiome relating to allergy we investigated if the change in relative abundance of taxa in Australian Chinese (AC) children is apparent in children with allergic conditions among the AC population to examine the hypothesis of the western microbiome relating to allergy
Summary
The rising prevalence of asthma and allergies has become a global public health concern, and there are wide variations between countries.[1, 2] The prevalence of adult asthma is highest in developed countries, such as Australia (21.0%), while it is the lowest in developing countries, such as China (0.2%).[3]. The allergy epidemic resulting from western environment/lifestyles is potentially due to modifications of the human microbiome. It is of interest to study immigrants living in a western environment as well as their counterparts in the country of origin to understand differences in their microbiomes and health status. The alpha diversity (mean species diversity) of both OP and gut microbiome was lower in AC children compared to CC children for richness estimate (Chao1), while diversity evenness (Shannon index) was higher. The majority of OP taxa showed a consistent trend while the majority of fecal taxa showed a contrasting trend
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