1 Real-time PCR Analysis of Intestinal Microbiota in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients
Chiung-lin Chen1 , MD; I-Kuan Wang1,2, MD; Hsueh-Chou Lai3, MD; Cheng-Ju Yu3, MD;
Chih-Chia Liang1, MD; Chiz-Tzung Chang1, PhD; Huey-Liang Kuo1 MD, Ya-Fei Yang1, MD;
Chung-Chih Lin1, MD; Hsin-Hung Lin1, MD; Yao-Lung Liu1; MD; Chiu-Ching Huang1, MD;
Hung-Chih Lin4, MD.
1
Divisions of Kidney Disease, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
2
Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung,
Taiwan
3
Department of Gastrointestinal Disease, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung,
Taiwan
4
2 Abstract
Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus can beneficially affect the host by producing acetic acid
and lactic acid which lower pH and thereby inhibits the growth of pathogens or by competing
with pathogens for epithelial adhesion sites and nutrients. The transmural migration of enteric
organisms into the peritoneal cavity can cause peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.
We hypothesized that the intestinal microbiota such as Lactobacillus species and
Bifidobacterium species differed between PD patients and healthy controls. The aim of the
study was to investigate these differences by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
analysis of fecal samples. From August 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010, a total of 29 nondiabetic
PD patients and 41 healthy controls from China Medical University Hospital were recruited
after giving their informed consent. Fecal samples were collected from the PD patients and
their age-matched counterparts in the morning using a standardized procedure. DNA
extracted from these samples was analyzed by real-time PCR. All Bifidobacteria,
Bifidobacterium catenulatum, B. longum, B. bifidum, Lactobacillus plantarum, L. paracasei
and Klebsiella pneumoniae were less frequently detected in the patient samples.
Dysbiosis (microbial imbalance) may impair intestinal barrier function and increase host
vulnerability to pathogen invasion. Further studies are necessary to confirm our findings
before clinical trials with probiotics supplementation in PD patients.
