The Effects of Genetic Relatedness on the Preterm Infant Gut Microbiota
Open Access
- 28 January 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by MDPI AG in Microorganisms
- Vol. 9 (2), 278
- https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9020278
Abstract
The preterm infant gut microbiota is influenced by environmental, endogenous, maternal, and genetic factors. Although siblings share similar gut microbial composition, it is not known how genetic relatedness affects alpha diversity and specific taxa abundances in preterm infants. We analyzed the 16S rRNA gene content of stool samples, ≤ and >3 weeks postnatal age, and clinical data from preterm multiplets and singletons at two Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), Tampa General Hospital (TGH; FL, USA) and Carle Hospital (IL, USA). Weeks on bovine milk-based fortifier (BMF) and weight gain velocity were significant predictors of alpha diversity. Alpha diversity between siblings were significantly correlated, particularly at ≤3 weeks postnatal age and in the TGH NICU, after controlling for clinical factors. Siblings shared higher gut microbial composition similarity compared to unrelated individuals. After residualizing against clinical covariates, 30 common operational taxonomic units were correlated between siblings across time points. These belonged to the bacterial classes Actinobacteria, Bacilli, Bacteroidia, Clostridia, Erysipelotrichia, and Negativicutes. Besides the influence of BMF and weight variables on the gut microbial diversity, our study identified gut microbial similarities between siblings that suggest genetic or shared maternal and environmental effects on the preterm infant gut microbiota.Funding Information
- National Institute of Nursing Research (R21NRO13094, RO1 NR015446)
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (K23HL150300)
- Carle Foundation Hospital (Carle-Illinois Collaborative Research Seed Proposal Program)
- University of Illinois (Carle-Illinois Collaborative Research Seed Proposal Program)
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