Intestinal Microbiota is Affected by Helicobacter pylori Infection in Japanese Adolescents Aged 14 or 15 Years: Cross-Sectional Study

Background The relationship of H. pylori and intestinal microbiota has not been clearly shown in children and/or adolescents. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of H. pylori infection on the intestinal microbiota in adolescents using genetic analysis. Methods We included subjects from the longitudinal project for H. pylori screening and treatment in junior high school third-grade students in Saga Prefecture who were aged 14 or 15 years. The control group (n = 79) who were negative for anti-H. pylori antibody in urine and the H. pylori group (n = 80) with anti-H. pylori antibody in urine and H. pylori antigen in stool were randomly selected for the present study. The intestinal microbiota in stool specimens was evaluated using 16S rRNA analysis with next generation sequencing. Results As shown by alpha diversity of 16S rRNA genes, the control group had lower microbial species richness with low alpha diversity compared with the H. pylori group (P < 0.001). Beta diversity of the intestinal microbiota profile was different between the two groups (P < 0.01). The relative abundance of the Prevotella genus was higher in the H. pylori group (P < 0.01) concomitant with a gain in body mass index in the H. pylori group (P < 0.01) compared with the control group. Conclusions The intestinal microbiota is significantly affected by H. pylori infection in Japanese adolescents. Additionally, the rate of the Prevotella genus is increased concomitant with body mass index rise in H. pylori-infected students.