Changes in the gut microbiome can predict and decrease Epstein‐Barr virus infection risk in children after liver transplantation
Xu Wang, Liying Sun, Peng Li, Shutian Zhang- Infectious Diseases
- Transplantation
Abstract
Objective
Primary Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) infection is observed in 60% of children during the first year after liver transplantation as usage of imm‐unosuppressant. Finding predictive indicators of EBV infection is important to reduce the morbidity and mortality of EBV infection‐related diseases by suggesting a dose reduction of immunosuppressant.
Methods
We compared and analysed the gut microbiome of EBV‐infected children with an asymptomatic virus‐carrying status and EBV‐uninfected children after liver transplantation using high‐throughput sequencing.
Results
Significant differences in gut microbiome composition in two groups were detected. In detail, Firmicutes and Lactobacillus were increased in EBV‐infected group, while Clostridium was increased in EBV‐uninfected group. Furthermore, CD4 percentage in T cells of blood showed a significant positive correlation with the content of Clostridium sp. CAG: 127 in EBV‐uninfected group.
Conclusion
Changes in the gut microbiome could predict and decrease the EBV infection risk of children after liver transplantation.