Study of enteropathogenic bacteria in children with acute diarrhoea aged from 7 to 10 years in Xuzhou, China

• This study illustrated the relationship between acute diarrhoea and enteric bacteria at phylogenetic family-level.
• The excessive growth of Streptococcaceae and Enterobacteriaceae can lead to acute diarrhoea.
• It's based on molecular level by using high-throughput sequencing to analyze 16S rRNA genes of microbe from feces samples.
• Predominant microflora play a key role in maintaining intestinal environment.

BackgroundAcute diarrhoea is a common infectious disease among children in many countries and it has different kinds of clinical symptoms including vomiting, abdominal cramps, or fever of 38 °C. Some specific intestinal bacteria and their quantities can result in relevant symptoms.AimTo analyze the correspondence between enteropathogenic bacteria and acute diarrhoea at family-level using high-throughput sequencing approach.MethodsEvery 30 children of acute diarrhoea with abdominal cramps, vomiting, and fever of 38 °C was regarded as a group, respectively. Stools samples were collected from each group and the DNA of stool was examined by E.Z.N.A.® Stool DNA Kit. The 16S rRNA genes sequencing was performed on an Illumina Miseq platform.FindingsThe sequencing dataset comprised 65 092 valid reads sequences that affiliated to the 18 phylogenetic families. The four dominant taxonomic groups in all three samples were Streptococcaceae, Veillonellaceae, Enterobacteriaceae and Lactobacillaceae. The stools of children with high fever presented higher pathogenic bacterial diversities and more complex community structures than other two groups. Lactobacillaceae was the enteric predominant microflora that could reduce the severity of acute diarrhoea.ConclusionThe reduction of predominant microflora or the aberrant proliferation of sub-dominant microflora can break the intestinal operation mechanism and cause intestinal diseases. What's more, people's living habits are also correlative about acute diarrhoea and parents should prepare light food for their children in order to protect their tender gastrointestinal mucosa.