Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum is associated with atopic eczema: a nested case-control study investigating the fecal microbiota of infants.
BACKGROUND
Exposure to specific bacterial bowel commensals may increase/reduce the risk of atopic diseases.


OBJECTIVE
To compare fecal bacterial communities of young infants with/without eczema.


METHODS
Nested case-control study. Infants age 3 to 6 months with eczema (cases, n = 37) and without (controls, n = 24) were matched for sex, age, feeding (breast/bottle/mixed/solids), ethnicity. Information was collected on maternal/infant antibiotic exposure, feeding, gastrointestinal symptoms, family history of allergy. Eczema severity scoring was used (Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis index). Samples were taken for determination of allergen-specific serum IgE (cases) and urinary/fecal eosinophilic protein X. Gastrointestinal permeability was measured. The compositions of fecal bacterial communities were analyzed (culture-independent, nucleic acid-based analyses).


RESULTS
There was no difference in overall profiles of fecal bacterial communities between cases and controls. Family history of allergy increased likelihood of bifidobacteria detection (history, 86%; no history, 56%; P = .047); breast-fed infants were more likely to harbor Bifidobacterium bifidum (odds ratio, 5.19; 95% CI, 1.47-18.36; P = .01). Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum was detected more commonly in feces of non-breast-fed children (odds ratio, 5.6; 95% CI, 1.3-24.3; P = .02) and children with eczema (eczema, 26%; no eczema, 4%; P = .04). There were no significant associations between clinical measurements and detection of B pseudocatenulatum.


CONCLUSIONS
Presence of B pseudocatenulatum in feces was associated with eczema and with exclusive formula-feeding; B bifidum was associated with breast-feeding.
Gore
Claudia
C
North West Lung Research Center, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom.
Munro
Karen
K
Lay
Christophe
C
Bibiloni
Rodrigo
R
Morris
Julie
J
Woodcock
Ashley
A
Custovic
Adnan
A
Tannock
Gerald W
GW
D000328:Adult; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001942:Breast Feeding; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000382:microbiology*; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D047208:Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin / Q000032:analysis / Q000652:urine; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D047208:Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin