Severe COVID-19 and MIS-C are rare but serious outcomes associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The onset of MIS-C often involves the gastrointestinal system, suggesting a potential connection with gut microbiota. This study aims to compare the gut microbiota of children with severe COVID-19 and those with MIS-C using various biomolecular approaches. Gut microbiota composition and specific microbial modulations were analyzed using fecal samples collected at hospital admission. The study included hospitalized patients (mean age 6 ± 5 years) diagnosed with severe COVID-19 (37 patients) or MIS-C (37 patients). Microbial differences were assessed using both NGS and qRT-PCR methodologies. In 75% of cases, pharmacological treatments included antibiotics and corticosteroids, which influenced the microbiota composition. Early age was found to have the most significant impact on microbiota diversity. Significant differences in alpha and beta diversity were observed between COVID-19 and MIS-C patients, particularly concerning low-abundance species. Levels of Bacteroides spp., Bifidobacterium spp., and Akkermansia muciniphila were comparable between groups, while an increased activity of Bifidobacterium spp. was noted in children with positive fecal samples (p = 0.019). An in-depth evaluation of lesser-known gut species may be key to reducing the risk of severe outcomes and developing microbiota-based biomarkers for the early diagnosis of MIS-C.

Investigating the Role of Gut Microbiota in Pediatric Patients with Severe COVID-19 or MIS-C

Elena Franchitti
Co-first
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
Paolo Bottino
Co-first
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
Francesca Sidoti;Andrea Carpino;Giulia Pruccoli;Ugo Ramenghi
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
Cristina Costa
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
Ugo Ala;Emilia Parodi
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
Deborah Traversi
Last
Membro del Collaboration Group
2025-01-01

Abstract

Severe COVID-19 and MIS-C are rare but serious outcomes associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The onset of MIS-C often involves the gastrointestinal system, suggesting a potential connection with gut microbiota. This study aims to compare the gut microbiota of children with severe COVID-19 and those with MIS-C using various biomolecular approaches. Gut microbiota composition and specific microbial modulations were analyzed using fecal samples collected at hospital admission. The study included hospitalized patients (mean age 6 ± 5 years) diagnosed with severe COVID-19 (37 patients) or MIS-C (37 patients). Microbial differences were assessed using both NGS and qRT-PCR methodologies. In 75% of cases, pharmacological treatments included antibiotics and corticosteroids, which influenced the microbiota composition. Early age was found to have the most significant impact on microbiota diversity. Significant differences in alpha and beta diversity were observed between COVID-19 and MIS-C patients, particularly concerning low-abundance species. Levels of Bacteroides spp., Bifidobacterium spp., and Akkermansia muciniphila were comparable between groups, while an increased activity of Bifidobacterium spp. was noted in children with positive fecal samples (p = 0.019). An in-depth evaluation of lesser-known gut species may be key to reducing the risk of severe outcomes and developing microbiota-based biomarkers for the early diagnosis of MIS-C.
2025
13
83
1
14
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/1/83
SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; MIS-C; children; gut microbiota; qRT-PCR; 16S rRNA; NGS; Akkermansia muciniphila; Bifidobacterium spp.
Elena Franchitti, Paolo Bottino, Francesca Sidoti, Andrea Carpino, Giulia Pruccoli, Ugo Ramenghi, Cristina Costa, Ugo Ala, Emilia Parodi, Deborah Tra...espandi
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Franchitti & Bottino, 2024.pdf

Accesso aperto

Tipo di file: PDF EDITORIALE
Dimensione 1.66 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.66 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/2044752
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact