Characterization of the gut microbiota of Nicaraguan children in a water insecure context

Abstract

Objectives: The gut microbiota varies across human populations. The first years of life are a critical period in its development. While delivery mode and diet contribute to observed variation, the additional contribution of specific environmental factors remains poorly understood. One factor is waterborne enteric pathogen exposure. In this pilot study, we explore the relationship between household water security and the gut microbiota of children.Methods: From Nicaraguan households (n = 39), we collected drinking water samples, as well as fecal samples from children aged one month to 5.99 years (n = 53). We tested water samples for total coliforms (CFU/mL) and the presence of common enteric pathogens. Composition and diversity of the gut microbiota were characterized by 16S rRNA sequencing. Households were classified as having drinking water that was "low" (<29 CFU/mL) or "high" (≥29 CFU/mL) in coliforms. We used permutational analyses of variance and Mann-Whitney U-tests to identify differences in the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota of children living in these two home types.Results: Insecure access led households to store drinking water and 85% tested positive for coliforms. High concentrations of Salmonella and Campylobacter were found in water and fecal samples. Controlling for age, the gut microbiota of children from high coliform homes were compositionally different and less diverse than those from low coliform homes. Conclusions:Results indicate that research exploring the ways water insecurity affects human biology should consider the gut microbiome and that investigations of inter-population variation in the gut microbial community of children should consider pathogen exposure and infection.

Water Security and Nutrition: Current Knowledge and Research Opportunities

“…Poor water quality, particularly water contaminated by enteric pathogens, may be an important factor shaping the colonization of the gut in early development. A study in Nicaragua found that infants and young children living in households with higher concentrations of total coliforms in their drinking water had lower ɑ-diversity and a greater relative abundance of potentially predatory or pathogenic bacteria in fecal samples relative to those using low-coliform water sources ( 209 ). This suggests that exposure to poor-quality water may render the gut more susceptible to harmful bacteria ( 210 ).…”

The toll of household water insecurity on health and human biology: Current understandings and future directions

“…One study measured water quality and the gut microbiome among water insecure households in Nicaragua. This study found that children from households with worse water quality had significantly less gut microbial diversity than children from households with better water quality (Piperata et al, 2020). In fact, this dysregulation of the gut microbiome in early life due to microbial contamination can lead to diarrheal disease, stunting, and potentially obesity later in life, thereby leading to a triple burden of disease (Daily et al, 2019; Guerrant et al, 2013).…”

Water & Human Biology and New Developments for the American Journal of Human Biology

“…Schell () draws on his long‐term research with the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation in developing a biocultural framework for understanding the impact of PCB contamination on water security in these indigenous communities. Papers by Piperata et al (), Thompson et al (), Brewis et al () and Schuster et al () explore the influence of water insecurity on diverse aspects of nutritional health, ranging from the gut microbiome in children to infant feeding strategies, and the dual nutritional burden. In turn, the contributions by Houck et al () and Dinkel et al () examine the impact water quality and availability on infectious disease risks.…”