Intestinal bacteria flora changes in patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia with or without wheezing

Abstract

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia in children. Furthermore, many children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) have recurrent wheezing and reduced small airway function after their clinical symptoms have resolved, eventually leading to asthma. MPP can trigger immune disorders and systemic inflammatory responses. Hence, the intestine is the largest immune organ of the body. Therefore, we sought to investigate whether the alteration of intestinal flora is correlated with the development of wheezing in children with MPP. We collected 30 healthy children as group A, 50 children with nonwheezing MPP as group B, and 50 children with wheezing MPP as group C. We found that the percentage of eosinophil cells (EC) was significantly higher in group C than that in group B for routine blood tests and serum inflammatory factors. The serum cytokines, including IL-4, IL-17, TNF-α, and TGF-β, were significantly higher in group C than in group B. In addition, the level of IL-10 was significantly lower in group C than in group B. The distribution characteristics of intestinal flora strains in children with MPP were detected by sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. There were differences in the abundance of intestinal flora between children with MPP and healthy children, with lower abundance of Ruminococcus flavefaciens, Clostridium butyricum, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium in the intestine of children with MPP compared to healthy children. The abundance of Ruminococcus flavefaciens and Clostridium butyricum was significantly lower in the intestine of children with wheezing MPP compared to children without wheezing MPP. In the correlation analysis between children with MPP and inflammatory factors, Ruminococcus flavefaciens was found to be negatively correlated with IL-17. Clostridium butyricum was negatively correlated with L-4, IL-17, TNF-α, and TGF-β; however, it positively correlated with IL-10. Thus, it was concluded that alterations in intestinal flora play a crucial role in the immune response to MPP, where a significant decline in intestinal Ruminococcus flavefaciens and Clostridium butyricum leads to an exacerbation of the inflammatory responses, which may promote the development of children with wheezing MPP.

Perturbations of gut microbiome and metabolome of pigs infected with Mycoplasma hyorhinis

“…Among the most frequently detected pathogens, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is the main pathogen causing pneumonia and has been studied intensively, 15 whereas M. hyorhinis has received less attention because it often coinfects with other pathogens. There is increasing evidence to suggest that respiratory pathogen infections can lead to alterations in the gut microbiome 9,10,16 . Now, in this study we explore the effects of M. hyorhinis on the gut microbiome and metabolome.…”

“…There is increasing evidence to suggest that respiratory pathogen infections can lead to alterations in the gut microbiome. 9,10,16 Now, in this study we explore the effects of M. hyorhinis on the gut microbiome and metabolome.…”

Method for estimating disease risk from microbiome data using structural equation modeling

“…Thus, lv1 could show the association between the intestinal microbiota and atopic dermatitis as an enhanced inflammatory response involving Alistipes , Coprobacter , and Butyricimonas . However, one of the genera in lv2 is Agathobacter , which is a butyrate-producing bacterium ( Rosero et al, 2016 ) that is reportedly reduced in patients with non-febrile Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia when compared with healthy children ( Jiang et al, 2022 ). Fusicatenibacter is also a butyrate-producing bacterium; Fusicatenibacter saccharivorans is decreased in patients with ulcerative colitis, and its administration is reported to improve enteritis in mice ( Takeshita et al, 2016 ).…”

Research status and challenges of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children: A bibliometric and visualization analysis from 2011 to 2023

“…However, in recent years, the important role of intestinal microecological changes in lung infections has attracted more and more attention from researchers. Jiang et al [75] found a link between blood inflammatory elements and the presence of Ruminococcus flavefaciens and Clostridium butyricum in children suffering from MPP, alongside a notable reduction in these bacteria in their intestinal tract, potentially exacerbating the inflammatory response in those with wheezing MPP. Achieving equilibrium in the gut microecology could be a forward-looking approach in preventing asthma and, broadly, respiratory illnesses in children suffering from MPP.…”