Skip to main content
About the Institute
  • English
  • Français
  • Español
  • Russian
  • Portuguese

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Allergies: the role of microbiota
  3. Ruminococcus gnavus, an unfriendly bacterium
  • Learn all about microbiota
    • The gut microbiota
    • The ENT microbiota
    • The pulmonary microbiota
    • The urinary microbiota
    • The skin microbiota
    • The vaginal microbiota
  • Microbiota and related conditions
    • Digestive disorders
    • Women disorders
    • Metabolic disorders
    • Skin disorders
    • Pediatric disorders
    • Psychiatric disorders
    • Neurological disorders
    • Respiratory disorders
    • Urinary disorders
  • Act on your microbiota
    • Probiotics
    • Prebiotics
    • Fecal Microbiota Transplant
    • Diet
  • Publications
    • Thematics folders
    • News
    • Press room
    About the Institute

    Join the microbiota community

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Healthcare professionals section

Find here your dedicated section
Biocodex logo
The power of your gut
My microbiota as a woman
Our marvelous microbiota

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Allergies: the role of microbiota
  3. Ruminococcus gnavus, an unfriendly bacterium
Our marvelous microbiota

Ruminococcus gnavus, an unfriendly bacterium

Allergies
The ENT microbiota

Even more than asthma, with which it is strongly associated, allergic rhinitis is the most common and consistent manifestation of respiratory allergy. Repeated sneezing, continuously runny or blocked nose, irritated eyes: these are the main symptoms of this pathology which affects 25% of the general population in France and half a billion people worldwide20. As with any allergy, it has a significant hereditary component and the symptoms it triggers are caused by an excessive immune system response to allergens (mites, pollens, cat hairs). Moreover, dysbiosis of the intestinal and ENT microbiota have already been associated with these respiratory disorders. There still needs to be a better understanding of the onset period and which bacteria generate them. It is a necessary step to designing treatments that are an alternative and/or an addition to current standard management methods (elimination of the allergen, drugs and desensitization), such as a rebalancing of the microbiota…

The power of your gut
My microbiota as a woman
Our marvelous microbiota
  • Learn all about microbiota
    • The gut microbiota
    • The ENT microbiota
    • The pulmonary microbiota
    • The urinary microbiota
    • The skin microbiota
    • The vaginal microbiota
  • Microbiota and related conditions
    • Digestive disorders
    • Women disorders
    • Metabolic disorders
    • Skin disorders
    • Pediatric disorders
    • Psychiatric disorders
    • Neurological disorders
    • Respiratory disorders
    • Urinary disorders
  • Act on your microbiota
    • Probiotics
    • Prebiotics
    • Fecal Microbiota Transplant
    • Diet
  • Publications
    • Thematics folders
    • News
    • Press room
    About the Institute

    Join the microbiota community

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Healthcare professionals section

Find here your dedicated section
Biocodex logo

Sources

This article is based on scientific information

Sharing is caring

Your friends might be interested in this topic. Why not share it?

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail

Sections

Allergie-ruminococcus-bandeau-1

About this article

Created 02 October 2019
Updated 03 January 2022

There is much research that aims to identify the bacteria responsible for dysbioses, which themselves generate diseases. A new step forward has just been made in this field: the bacterium Ruminococcus gnavus, already implicated in intestinal dysbiosis, has just been linked to allergic–in particular respiratory– diseases in infants. An important discovery at a time when the WHO is predicting new increases in the prevalence of some respiratory allergies in the coming years21.

Although research into microbiota and the impact of their imbalance on health is progressing through the use of cutting-edge genetic analysis technologies, much remains to be discovered and understood. And although dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota is considered a determining factor in the development of allergies in very young children22, the bacteria specifically involved in this process are still unknown. Studies in this subject area are difficult to perform as the microbial communities interact constantly with the organism–and are therefore sensitive to multiple parameters. This is why research into the same topics sometimes produces divergent, even contradictory results–and does not allow a single factor responsible for certain diseases to be isolated. In other words, the experimental protocol and the methodology adopted are essential to the pertinence of the conclusions.

An original experimental protocol

Aware of these pitfalls and to maximally limit bias–especially genetic and environmental–in the identification of the microbes involved in allergic diseases, scientists chose to run a study in twins from birth23. Through this prospective approach the onset of the disease can be observed and changes in the microbiota which may have caused the disease can be detected. To do so, the intestinal microbiota of newborns was characterized based on the analysis of stool samples taken at birth then over a one year period. The children were monitored until they were three years old, the stage at which the intestinal microbiota of infants usually achieves a balance similar to that observed in adults24. This time period was therefore sufficient to detect any correlations between allergic symptoms and microbial variations.

A culprit was identified

At the end of the study, 45.5% of the children monitored had developed respiratory and cutaneous allergic diseases. From the age of two months and up to the end of the first year of life, the allergic children had a much higher proportion of Ruminococcus gnavus in their stools than healthy children. This excess is thought to increase levels of Lachnospiraceae in the intestinal microbiota and the occurrence of allergic symptoms, especially respiratory symptoms (rhinitis, asthma). More precisely, Ruminococcus gnavus triggers inflammation of the digestive tract, itself responsible for a localized allergic response in the respiratory tract. This new finding highlights the major role of microbes in the gut-lung axis and could lead to targeted and effective treatments to be considered.

Sources

20 Ozdoganoglu T, Songu M. The burden of allergic rhinitis and asthma. Ther Adv Respir Dis. 2012;6(1):11-23

21 Pawankar R. Allergic diseases and asthma: a global public health concern and a call to action. World Allergy Organ J 2014;7:12

22 Fujimura KE, Lynch SV. Microbiota in allergy and asthma and the emerging relationship with the gut microbiome. Cell Host Microbe 2015;17:592–602 

23 Chua H.-H., Chou H.-C., Tung Y.-L, et al. Intestinal Dysbiosis Featuring Abundance of Ruminococcus gnavus Associates With Allergic Diseases in Infants ; Gastroenterology 2018;154:154–167

24 Yatsunenko T, Rey FE, Manary MJ, et al. Human gut microbiome viewed across age and geography. Nature 2012;486:222–227

Old sources

 

 

en_view en_sources

    See also

    Asthma: breathing in some fresh air on the farm!
    Actu GP : Donner du fromage à vos enfants pour prévenir leurs allergies ? Is it possible to prevent allergies by feeding cheese to your children?
    Focus
    Allergies: the role of microbiota
    • Asthma
      • Asthma and the respiratory microbiota: a close relationship
      • Secrets of the nasal flora
    • Food allergies
      • Egg allergy: involvement of the early intestinal microbiota
      • Is there a microbial signature for our food allergies?
    • Allergic rhinitis
      • Ruminococcus gnavus, an unfriendly bacterium
      • Allergic rhinitis: the first months of life are key
    • Atopic dermatitis
      • Emollients and atopic dermatitis: proven benefits
      • War has been declared against Staphylococcus aureus
      • Expert interview : Pr Michel Gilliet
    Created 02 October 2019
    Updated 03 January 2022

    About this article

    To know more about this topic.

    Main topic

    Allergies

    Related microbiotas

    The ENT microbiota
    Is there a microbial signature for our food allergies?
    Allergic rhinitis: the first months of life are key
    Focus

    Allergies: the role of microbiota

    Asthma

    Asthma and the respiratory microbiota: a close relationship Secrets of the nasal flora

    Food allergies

    Egg allergy: involvement of the early intestinal microbiota Is there a microbial signature for our food allergies?

    Allergic rhinitis

    Ruminococcus gnavus, an unfriendly bacterium Allergic rhinitis: the first months of life are key

    Atopic dermatitis

    Emollients and atopic dermatitis: proven benefits War has been declared against Staphylococcus aureus Expert interview : Pr Michel Gilliet
    Our marvelous microbiota

    Prebiotics: what you need to know

    With just one different letter separating prebiotics and probiotics, no wonder they get confused! To muddy ...

    Find out more
    Antibiotics: what impact on the microbiota and on our health?
    12.10.2022

    Antibiotics: what impact on the microbiota and on our health?

    Read the article
    Nature and microbiota: how does it affect your health?
    08.07.2022

    Nature and microbiota: how does it affect your health?

    Read the article
    Actu GP : Règles douloureuses : et si le microbiote vaginal était en cause ?
    15.06.2021

    Is the vaginal microbiota to blame for painful periods?

    Read the article
     Microbiote urétral : des infections urinaires masculines mieux comprises
    06.01.2023

    Urethral microbiota: a better understanding of male urinary tract infections

    Read the article

    Probiotics

    Probiotics: essential information for understanding and choosing them correctly. What exactly are probiotic...

    Find out more
    03.11.2021

    Antibiotic resistance: an odd “souvenir” from exotic destinations

    Read the article
    Actu GP : Microbiote, asthme et antibiotique : une histoire de nez !
    13.10.2020

    Microbiota, asthma and antibiotics: it’s all in the nose!

    Read the article
    My health, my microbiota
    Follow our Facebook page
    My microbiota as a woman
    Read more to know the different things you can do to keep your vaginal microbiota balanced
    Find your dedicated section
    Healthcare professionals
    • Learn all about microbiota
      • The gut microbiota
      • The ENT microbiota
      • The pulmonary microbiota
      • The urinary microbiota
      • The skin microbiota
      • The vaginal microbiota
    • Microbiota and related conditions
      • Digestive disorders
      • Women disorders
      • Metabolic disorders
      • Skin disorders
      • Pediatric disorders
      • Psychiatric disorders
      • Neurological disorders
      • Respiratory disorders
      • Urinary disorders
    • Act on your microbiota
      • Probiotics
      • Prebiotics
      • Fecal Microbiota Transplant
      • Diet
    • Publications
      • Thematics folders
      • News
      • Press room
      About the Institute

      Join the microbiota community

      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • YouTube

    Healthcare professionals section

    Find here your dedicated section
    Biocodex logo
    The power of your gut
    My microbiota as a woman
    Our marvelous microbiota
    • English
    • Français
    • Español
    • Russian
    • Portuguese

    Browse the site

    • Learn all about microbiota
      • The gut microbiota
      • The ENT microbiota
      • The pulmonary microbiota
      • The urinary microbiota
      • The skin microbiota
      • The vaginal microbiota
    • Microbiota and related conditions
      • Digestive disorders
      • Women disorders
      • Metabolic disorders
      • Skin disorders
      • Pediatric disorders
      • Psychiatric disorders
      • Neurological disorders
      • Respiratory disorders
      • Urinary disorders
    • Act on your microbiota
      • Probiotics
      • Prebiotics
      • Fecal Microbiota Transplant
      • Diet
    • Publications
      • Thematics folders
      • News
      • Press room
      About the Institute

      Join the microbiota community

      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • YouTube

    Healthcare professionals section

    Find here your dedicated section
    Biocodex logo

    Discover

    The power of your gut
    My microbiota as a woman
    Our marvelous microbiota

    Join the microbiota community

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Healthcare professionals section

    Find here your dedicated section

    Redirection

    You are about to be redirected and leave our website

    • Be redirected
    • Stay on the Biocodex Microbiota Institute's website

    Stay with us !

    Join the microbiota community and receive "The Essentials" once a month to stay up to date with the latest news on the microbiota.

    * Mandatory Fields

    BMI 20-35

    Explore

    25.01.2023

    Fermented vegetables: good reasons to include them in your diet

    Read the article
    Insomnie chez les personnes âgées : le microbiote intestinal impliqué ?
    19.01.2023

    Insomnia in the elderly: are gut microbiota to blame?

    Read the article
    16.01.2023

    Schizophrenia: when following your gut leads to aggression

    Read the article

    Stay updated

    Join the Microbiota Community and receive once a month “The Essential” to stay up to date on the latest news about microbiota.

    * Mandatory Fields

    BMI 20-35

    • Learn all about microbiota
      • The gut microbiota
      • The ENT microbiota
      • The pulmonary microbiota
      • The urinary microbiota
      • The skin microbiota
      • The vaginal microbiota
    • Microbiota and related conditions
      • Digestive disorders
      • Women disorders
      • Metabolic disorders
      • Skin disorders
      • Pediatric disorders
      • Psychiatric disorders
      • Neurological disorders
      • Respiratory disorders
      • Urinary disorders
    • Act on your microbiota
      • Probiotics
      • Prebiotics
      • Fecal Microbiota Transplant
      • Diet
    • Publications
      • Thematics folders
      • News
      • Press room
      About the Institute

      Join the microbiota community

      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • YouTube

    Healthcare professionals section

    Find here your dedicated section
    Biocodex logo

    Discover

    The power of your gut
    My microbiota as a woman
    Our marvelous microbiota

    Healthcare professionals section

    Find here your dedicated section

    Join the microbiota community

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    © 2022 Biocodex. All rights reserved.

    • Cookies Policy
    • Data protection policy
    • GTU
    • Sitemap
    • Cookies settings
    Biocodex logo