title: Evaluation of stool microbiota signatures in two cohorts of Asian (Singapore and Indonesia) newborns at risk of atopy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies have suggested that demographic and lifestyle factors could shape the composition of fecal microbiota in early life. This study evaluated infant stool microbiota signatures in two Asian populations, Singapore (n = 42) and Indonesia (n = 32) with contrasting socioeconomic development, and examined the putative influences of demographic factors on these human fecal associated bacterial signatures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Longitudinal analysis showed associations of geographical origin with Clostridium leptum, Atopobium and Bifidobacterium groups. Mode of delivery had the largest effect on stool microbiota signatures influencing the abundance of four bacterial groups. Significantly higher abundance of bacterial members belonging to the Bacteroides-Prevotella, Bifidobacterium and Atopobium groups, but lower abundance of Lactobacilli-Enterococci group members, were observed in vaginal delivered compared to caesarean delivered infants. Demographic factors influencing the structure of infants stool microbiota during the first year of life included breastfeeding, age of weaning, sibship size and exposure to antibiotics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Differences in stool microbiota signatures were observed in relation to various demographic factors. These features may confound studies relating to the association of the structure of fecal microbiota and the predisposition to human modern disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, National University of Singapore, Medical Drive, Singapore, 117597 Singapore.
authors.forename: Gaik Chin
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Yap
authors.forename: Kok Keong
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Chee
authors.forename: Pei-Ying
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lay
authors.forename: Cahya D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Satria
authors.lastname: Sumadiono
authors.forename: Yati
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Soenarto
authors.forename: Ekawaty L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Haksari
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aw
authors.forename: Lynette Pei-Chi
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Shek
authors.forename: Kaw Yan
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Chua
authors.forename: Yudong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Doreen
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Leow
authors.forename: Bee Wah
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D044822:Biodiversity; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007214:Indonesia; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D054892:Metagenome; D012846:Singapore; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors