Using 16S rDNA Sequencing Technology to Preliminarily Analyze Intestinal Flora in Children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia

Abstract

Objective: We investigated changes in the intestinal flora of children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP).

Methods: Between September 2019 and November 2019, stool samples from 14 children with MPP from The Fourth Hospital of Baotou city, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, were collected and divided into general treatment (AF) and probiotic (AFY) groups, according to the treatment of "combined Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, and Bacillus cereus tablets live". High-throughput 16S rDNA sequencing was used to identify intestinal flora.

Results: Intestinal flora abundance and diversity in children with MPP were decreased. Both Shannon and Simpson indices were lower in the AF group when compared with healthy controls ( P < 0.05). When compared with healthy controls, the proportion of Enterorhabdus was lower in the AF group, while the proportion of Lachnoclostridium was higher ( P < 0.05). The proportion of Bifidobacteria and Akkermansia was lower in the AFY group but Enterococcus, Lachnoclostridium, Roseburia, and Erysipelatoclostridium proportions were higher. The proportion of Escherichia coli- Shigella in the AFY group after treatment was decreased ( P < 0.05).

Conclusions: The intestinal flora of children with MPP is disturbed, manifested as decreased abundance and diversity, and decreased Bifidobacteria. Our probiotic mixture partly improved intestinal flora disorders.

Keywords: Intestinal flora; Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia; Probiotics; Respiratory tract infection.