Gut microbiome impact on childhood allergic rhinitis and house dust mite IgE responses

BackgroundThe correlation between the gut microbiota and airway inflammation in childhood allergic rhinitis (AR), particularly concerning allergen exposure, remains insufficiently explored. This study aimed to link gut microbiota changes with house dust mite (HDM)-specific IgE responses in pediatric AR.MethodsUsing metagenomic shotgun sequencing, we compared the fecal microbiota of 60 children with HDM-AR to 48 healthy controls (HC), analyzing the link to IgE reactions. We examined the effects of oral Escherichia (E.) fergusonii treatment in mice sensitized with ovalbumin and HDM on allergic symptoms, mucosal cell infiltration, Th1/Th2/Tregs balance in the spleen, serum cytokine levels, and E. fergusonii presence in feces.ResultsChildren with HDM-AR have a less diverse gut microbiome and lower levels of E. fergusonii compared to controls, with a negative correlation between E. fergusonii abundance and HDM-specific IgE levels. In mice sensitized with OVA and HDM, oral administration of E. fergusonii improved allergic symptoms, reduced nasal eosinophils/mast cells infiltration and adjusted Th cell populations towards a non-allergic profile in splenic lymphocytes with exception of IFN-gamma change in serum.ConclusionThese findings underline the potential of targeting gut microbiota, particularly E. fergusonii, in managing childhood HDM-AR, suggesting a promising approach for future interventions.ImpactThe composition and distribution of gut microbiota in children with HDM-AR are significant changed.The abundance of genus is decreased in HDM-AR children.HDM-specific IgE levels are strongly negatively associated with abundance.Oral administration of effectively suppresses allergic responses in murine model.These findings offer novel insights into the diagnosis and treatment of HDM-AR, which suggested that holds promise as a potential therapeutic avenue for managing HDM-AR.