Higher diversity in fungal species discriminates children with type 1 diabetes mellitus from healthy control

Abstract

ObjectiveTo conduct qualitative and quantitative assessment of yeast-like fungi in the feces of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) with respect to their metabolic control and duration of the disease.Materials and methodsThe studied materials included samples of fresh feces collected from 53 children and adolescents with T1DM. Control group included 30 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. Medical history was taken and physical examination was conducted in the two study arms. Prevalence of the yeast-like fungi in the feces was determined as well as their amounts, species diversity, drug susceptibility, and enzymatic activity.ResultsThe yeast-like fungi were found in the samples of feces from 75.4% of T1DM patients and 70% controls. In the group of T1DM patients, no correlation was found between age (Rs=0.253, P=0.068), duration of diabetes (Rs=−0.038, P=0.787), or body mass index (Rs=0.150, P=0.432) and the amount of the yeast-like fungi isolated in the feces. Moreover, no correlation was seen between the amount of the yeast-like fungi and glycated hemoglobin (Rs=0.0324, P=0.823), systolic blood pressure (Rs=0.102, P=0.483), or diastolic blood pressure (Rs=0.271, P=0.345).ConclusionOur research has shown that children and adolescents with T1DM show higher species diversity of the yeast-like fungi, with Candida albicans being significantly less prevalent versus control subjects. Moreover, fungal species in patients with T1DM turn out to be more resistant to antifungal treatment.

High Interleukin-12 Levels May Prevent an Increase in the Amount of Fungi in the Gastrointestinal Tract during the First Years of Diabetes Mellitus Type 1

“…Our previous studies have shown that yeast-like fungi isolated from faecal samples of T1DM children presented with greater species diversity versus those found in control samples. Moreover, more Candida albicans strains in this group showed lower susceptibility to the tested drugs and higher enzymatic activity [5]. …”

Rhodotorula spp. in the gut – foe or friend?

“…and Candida spp. [5], [19], [32]; indeed the numbers detected are quite considerable in some cases. It can be argued that the frequent use of fluconazole and echinocandins, respectively, for therapy and prophylaxis of yeast infections may have contributed to this fact, since Rhodotorula spp., which are intrinsically resistant to these antimycotic agents (Table 1 (Tab.…”

“…They may induce not only infections, but they may trigger metabolic disturbances [4], [19] and engender allergy [35], [36], [37], [38]. It can be assumed that Rhodotorula spp.…”

“…Obviously, they are taken up regularly by mammals as well as humans via food, which may lead to intermittent or even permanent gut colonization even in healthy subjects [1], [5], [19] not least because they are relatively resistant to bile [12] in comparison to Candida albicans being susceptible to bile acids to some extent [20]. …”

No effect of yeast-like fungi on lipid metabolism and vascular endothelial growth factor level in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus

“…On one hand they can result in elimination of the causative factor, but on the other hand they can lead to systemic disorders or even death [21, 22]. Efforts are being made by our team and other researchers to investigate the yeast-like fungus virulence and its sequelae in T1DM patients [20, 21, 23]. However proving the causal relationship between infections and development of complications in T1DM patients remains a big challenge.…”