Impact of Rural and Urban Environmental Microbial Exposure on Intestinal Microbiota in Early Infancy

摘要

The aim of this study was to compare microbial exposures between rural and urban living environments and find their impact on intestinal microbiota in early infancy. 38 healthy rural term and 37 healthy urban infants were enrolled into this study. Information about living environment-related factors was collected with repeated questionnaires. Dust samples were collected from baby's living rooms and feces samples were collected at 1 month of age. After bacterial DNA extraction and examination by PCR of 16S rDNA V3 Region, bacterial community profilings were obtained by use of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Quantity One and Biodap softwares were used for diversity and similarity analysis, and SPSS software was used for statistical analysis. Lifestyles associated with improved hygiene were significantly different in rural and urban regions (P < 0.05). The microbial exposure in rural living environments was significantly higher as compared to the Stripe number (S'), Shannon-Weaver Diversity Index (H'), Pielou Index (E) and Simpson index (D) in the urban group (P < 0.05). The Shannon-Weaver Diversity Index (H') and Pielou Index (E) for the rural intestinal microbiota were significantly higher than those of the urban group (P < 0.05). The Stripe number (S') and Simpson index (D) for the rural intestinal microbiota were slightly higher than those of the urban group means, although the differences between them were not significant (P > 0.05). The structures of both environmental bacteria and intestinalmicrobiota were more similar in the same region. There were significantly positive leaner correlations between the environmental microbial exposures and intestinal microbiota in the Stripe number (S') and Shannon-Weaver Diversity Index (H') (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the rural and urban living environments, especially microbial exposures, are significantly different and this difference can influence the intestinal microbiota in early infancy.