Effects of Antibiotics on Children's Gut Microbiomes in Peru
Author Information
Author(s): Sehgal Neha, Pajuelo Monica J., Gilman Robert H., Pickering Amy J., Earl Ashlee M., Worby Colin J., Nadimpalli Maya L.
Primary Institution: Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University
Hypothesis
Increased antibiotic use would enrich the resistome but decrease the load of gut genera that are often sensitive to antibiotics.
Conclusion
Common antibiotics like amoxicillin and azithromycin may be key drivers of the gut resistome but not the microbiome during early childhood in this setting with frequent breastfeeding.
Supporting Evidence
- Amoxicillin and azithromycin use significantly impacted antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) abundance.
- Antibiotics did not significantly affect gut diversity or genera abundance.
- Breastfeeding rates were exceptionally high, which may have influenced gut microbiome stability.
Takeaway
This study looked at how antibiotics affect the gut bacteria of young children in Peru. It found that while antibiotics can increase resistance genes, they don't seem to change the overall types of bacteria in their guts.
Methodology
The study included 54 children from a cohort of enteric infections, with stool samples collected at various ages and analyzed for gut microbiome and ARGs using metagenomic sequencing.
Potential Biases
Residual confounding may affect results, and the study did not account for diet-driven microbial changes after children began consuming solid foods.
Limitations
The study does not indicate causality and may not be generalizable to all children in peri-urban Lima due to selection based on ESBL-E gut colonization patterns.
Participant Demographics
Approximately half were female (54%), most were vaginally delivered (73%), and 63% were born to high school-educated mothers.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95%CI=0.01,0.29
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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