| Title: |
The pediatric ocular surface microbiome in pet-owning households |
| Authors: |
Xiangtian Ling; Charlene C. Yim; Qihang Sun; Yu Peng; Yuzhou Zhang; Ka Wai Kam; Alvin L. Young; Patrick Ip; Stephen Kwok-Wing Tsui; Clement C. Tham; Chi Pui Pang; Li Jia Chen; Jason C. Yam |
| Source: |
Current Research in Microbial Sciences, Vol 9, Iss , Pp 100518- (2025) |
| Publisher Information: |
Elsevier |
| Publication Year: |
2025 |
| Collection: |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
| Subject Terms: |
Pet exposure; Ocular surface microbiome; Pediatric ophthalmology; Microbial diversity; Microbiology; QR1-502; Genetics; QH426-470 |
| Description: |
Introduction: Pet exposure is associated with the allergy development in children. The influence of pet exposure on the pediatric ocular surface microbiome (OSM), a potential mediator of ocular immunity, remains uncharacterized. This study investigates OSM alterations in children with household pet contact. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, conjunctival swabs from 347 children (aged 5–15 years) in the CUHK Hong Kong Children Eye Study were analyzed. 16S rRNA sequencing (V3–V4 region) was performed, followed by bioinformatic analysis (QIIME2, DADA2, SILVA 138) and functional prediction (PICRUSt2). Alpha/beta diversity, taxonomic composition, and KEGG pathways were compared. Results: Pet-exposed children had higher alpha diversity (Shannon/Simpson/Observed indexes; P < 0.05) with positive dose-response to contact time. Compositionally, these children showed distinct beta diversity (Bray-Curtis Distance, P=0.015) and enriched genera (Streptococcus, Actinomyces, Neisseria; LDA Score > 2.0). NF-κB signaling and VEGF signaling were predicted to enrich in pet-exposed children while non-exposed children showed increased macrolide biosynthesis pathways. Conclusion: Pet exposure associates with increased diversity, enrichment of taxa associated with animals and the environment, and NF-κB/VEGF pathway activation in the pediatric OSM. This suggests OSM as a novel mechanism for pet-related immune modulation, potentially influencing ocular surface health and allergy susceptibility. |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| Language: |
English |
| Relation: |
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666517425001774; https://doaj.org/toc/2666-5174; https://doaj.org/article/f847b00a6f284b4fa08fdb79db1951b3 |
| DOI: |
10.1016/j.crmicr.2025.100518 |
| Availability: |
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crmicr.2025.100518; https://doaj.org/article/f847b00a6f284b4fa08fdb79db1951b3 |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.B9326D43 |
| Database: |
BASE |