Mycobiota composition and changes across pregnancy in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)

Abstract

The gut mycobiota has never been studied either during pregnancy or in patients with gestational diabetes (GDM). This study aimed to analyze the fecal mycobiota of GDM patients during the second (T2) and third (T3) trimester of pregnancy and to compare it with the mycobiota of pregnant normoglycemic women (controls). Forty-one GDM patients and 121 normoglycemic women were studied. GDM mycobiota was composed almost exclusively by the Ascomycota phylum; Basidiomicota accounted for 43% of the relative frequency of the controls. Kluyveromyces (p < 0.001), Metschnikowia (p < 0.001), and Pichia (p < 0.001) showed a significantly higher frequency in GDM patients, while Saccharomyces (p = 0.019), were more prevalent in controls. From T2 to T3, a reduction in fungal alpha diversity was found in GDM patients, with an increase of the relative frequency of Candida, and the reduction of some pro-inflammatory taxa. Many associations between fungi and foods and nutrients were detected. Finally, several fungi and bacteria showed competition or co-occurrence. Patients with GDM showed a predominance of fungal taxa with potential inflammatory effects when compared to normoglycemic pregnant women, with a marked shift in their mycobiota during pregnancy, and complex bacteria-fungi interactions.

Specific gut bacterial and fungal microbiota pattern in the first half of pregnancy is linked to the development of gestational diabetes mellitus in the cohort including obese women

“…This is in agreement with very recent study by Ferrocino et al. (2022) who observed an increasing abundance of Candida between the second and third trimesters ( 52 ). Candida albicans inhabits the gastrointestinal tract, mouth and vaginal mucosa in 40 – 60% of healthy adults as a commensal organism, but it may cause disease in immunocompromised individuals ( 53 , 54 ).…”

A Distribution-Free Model for Longitudinal Metagenomic Count Data

“…Low abundance found in preterm [33] Sutterella Associated with metabolic/inflammatory variables across pregnancy in Gestational diabetes mellitus patients; hyperglycemia in the second and third trimester of pregnancy is an independent risk factor and a better predictor of prematurity. [44,45] ZIDF Facklamia More abundant in animals that failed to establish a pregnancy [46]…”

“…Porphyromonas Significantly high abundance in preterms [43] Sneathia Low abundance found in preterm [33] Sutterella Associated with metabolic/inflammatory variables across pregnancy in Gestational diabetes mellitus patients; hyperglycemia in the second and third trimester of pregnancy is an independent risk factor and a better predictor of prematurity. [44,45] Table 2. Cont.…”

Colonic drug delivery: Formulating the next generation of colon-targeted therapeutics

“…Increasing characterisation of the colonic and rectal environments has led to the recognition of new local targets, such as the microbiome, enteric immune system, and lymphatic system [9,10]. These emerging targets not only allow treatment of colonic pathologies but may facilitate treatment of systemic conditions and those affecting distal organs [11][12][13]. For example, the intestinal microbiome has been discovered to modulate traumatic spinal cord injury, dyslipidaemia, urinary tract infections, and even neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease [14][15][16][17][18].…”