Effect of ethnicity and socioeconomic variation to the gut microbiota composition among pre-adolescent in Malaysia

Abstract

Gut microbiota plays an important role in mammalian host metabolism and physiological functions. The functions are particularly important in young children where rapid mental and physical developments are taking place. Nevertheless, little is known about the gut microbiome and the factors that contribute to microbial variation in the gut of South East Asian children. Here, we compared the gut bacterial richness and composition of pre-adolescence in Northern Malaysia. Our subjects covered three distinct ethnic groups with relatively narrow range of socioeconomic discrepancy. These included the Malays (n = 24), Chinese (n = 17) and the Orang Asli (indigenous) (n = 20). Our results suggested a strong ethnicity and socioeconomic-linked bacterial diversity. Highest bacterial diversity was detected from the economically deprived indigenous children while the lowest diversity was recorded from the relatively wealthy Chinese children. In addition, predicted functional metagenome profiling suggested an over-representation of pathways pertinent to bacterial colonisation and chemotaxis in the former while the latter exhibited enriched gene pathways related to sugar metabolism.

Consequences of colonialism: A microbial perspective to contemporary Indigenous health

“…To be clear, highlighting a microbial role in Indigenous health does not negate the significance of the role of socioeconomics in the Indigenous health disparity. There is evidence that indicates socioeconomic status impacts the composition of the microbiome (Belstrøm et al, ; Chong et al, ); hence, socioeconomic status may be exacerbating the influence of the microbial evolutionary history on Indigenous health. In proposing an underlying microbial element in Indigenous health disparities, we offer a potential explanation for an additional “unknown” risk factor that contributes to the discrepancy in health between Indigenous peoples and their non‐Indigenous counterparts.…”

Microbiomes in respiratory health and disease: An Asia‐Pacific perspective

“…Other factors such as nutritional status and cigarette smoking—a key causative agent for chronic respiratory disease—have been shown to directly influence the microbiome in India, China and Korea . Socioeconomic status and urbanization were also important predictors of microbiome composition in Malaysia, Thailand and Russia . In an analysis of bacterial gut diversity in school‐aged children from five Asia‐Pacific countries, Nakayama et al , noted a high abundance of Bifidobacteria (species belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium ), a trend previously identified in rural Russian and central Asian populations .…”

“…47,53,54 Socioeconomic status and urbanization were also important predictors of microbiome composition in Malaysia, Thailand and Russia. 48,51,55 In an analysis of bacterial gut diversity in school-aged children from five Asia-Pacific countries, Nakayama et al, noted a high abundance of Bifidobacteria (species belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium), a trend previously identified in rural Russian and central Asian populations. 51,55 Clear segregation into two distinct enterotype-like clusters was observed: one similar to the Prevotella enterotype described in European populations and a second representing a novel Bifidobacteria-rich microbiome ostensibly associated with carbohydrate-based Asian diets ( Fig.…”

Review article: next‐generation transformative advances in the pathogenesis and management of autoimmune hepatitis

“…Antibiotics, medications, probiotic supplements, personal hygiene, medical history, advancing age and diet influence the composition of the microbiota in an individual, and vaccination programmes, dietary habits and community sanitation influence the intestinal composition within communities . The intestinal microbiota differs in individuals living in rural and urban areas, and the microbiome varies with socioeconomic status . These challenges are formidable, but their recognition is essential in developing experimental models, strengthening study designs, and improving biotechnology.…”