title: Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of neonatal intestinal microbiota in relation to the development of asthma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The extended 'hygiene hypothesis' suggests that the initial composition of the infant gut microbiota is a key determinant in the development of atopic disease. Several studies have demonstrated that the microbiota of allergic and non-allergic infants are different even before the development of symptoms, with a critical time window during the first 6 months of life. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between early intestinal colonisation and the development of asthma in the first 3 years of life using DGGE (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis).
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective birth cohort, 110 children were classified according to the API (Asthma Predictive Index). A positive index included wheezing during the first three years of life combined with eczema in the child in the first years of life or with a parental history of asthma. A fecal sample was taken at the age of 3 weeks and analysed with DGGE using universal and genus specific primers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Asthma Predictive Index was positive in 24/110 (22%) of the children. Using universal V3 primers a band corresponding to a Clostridum coccoides XIVa species was significantly associated with a positive API. A Bacteroides fragilis subgroup band was also significantly associated with a positive API. A final DGGE model, including both bands, allowed correct classification of 73% (80/110) of the cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fecal colonisation at age 3 weeks with either a Bacteroides fragilis subgroup or a Clostridium coccoides subcluster XIVa species is an early indicator of possible asthma later in life. These findings need to be confirmed in a new longitudinal follow-up study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. carl.vael@telenet.be
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vael
authors.forename: Liesbeth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vanheirstraeten
authors.forename: Kristine N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Desager
authors.forename: Herman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Goossens
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology*; D001441:Bacteroides fragilis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D044822:Biodiversity; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003013:Clostridium / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D058645:Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D054892:Metagenome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index