The highest differences in the relative abundance of specific bacterial groups

were found Cisplatin purchase between untreated CD patients and healthy controls, while treated CD patients generally showed intermediate values. Bifidobacterium proportions were significantly lower in untreated CD patients than in healthy controls (P = 0.009), while treated CD patients displayed intermediate values. Similarly, the relative abundance of bacteria belonging to C. histolyticum, C. lituseburense and F. prausnitzii groups proved to be significantly lower in untreated CD patients than in healthy subjects (P = 0.031, P = selleckchem 0.024 and P = 0.045, respectively), whereas treated CD patients showed intermediate values. The Bacteroides-Prevotella group proportions were significantly more abundant in untreated CD patients than in healthy controls (P = 0.033). Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus, Lactobacillus-Enterococcus and sulphate-reducing bacteria EGFR inhibitor reached similar proportions in the three groups of children regardless of their health status. Immunoglobulin A coating specific bacterial groups in faeces

from CD patients Of the total bacteria, the percentage of IgA coating Bacteroides-Prevotella group was significantly higher in healthy patients than in untreated CD patients (P = 0.014) and treated CD patients (P = 0.019). A 10.93% (6.13-20.13) of Bacteroides-Prevotella group from Diflunisal healthy patients was IgA-coated, while a 4.24% (4.68-6.54) and a 4.97% (0.88-8.34) was IgA-coated in untreated and treated CD patients, respectively. Accordingly, within the Bacteroides-Prevotella population, the percentage which was coated with IgA was significantly higher in healthy controls (69.02%; 40.54-81.61) than in untreated CD (P = 0.033) (25.42%; 7.09-55.09), while no differences were detected with treated CD patients. No differences were found in the proportion of IgA coating the Bifidobacterium group between CD patients and healthy controls. The percentage of IgA-coated Bifidobacterium was higher (P < 0.05) than

that of IgA-coated Bacteroides-Prevotella in all groups of children. Discussion This study has characterized faecal microbiology and immunoglobulin-associated features in active and non-active stages of CD in children and in age-matched controls with an aim to furthering our understanding of the interplay between the gut microbiota and the host defences in this disorder. Immunoglobulin secretions constitute a primary line of defence of the mucosal surface against noxious antigens and pathogens, and contribute to the intestinal homeostasis preventing clinical inflammation. The colon predominantly harbours IgA-secreting plasma cells (90%); moreover, 4% cells secrete IgG and 6% cells secrete IgM. A considerable percentage of faecal bacteria was coated with IgA (14.