Urinary organic acids spectra in children with altered gut microbiota composition and autistic spectrum disorder.

Introduction: Alteration of human gut microbiota is described in a number of neuro-developmental and cognitive disorders including autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). Along with the changes in the gut microbiota, children with ASD are also reported to have changes in urinary organic acid spectra implying these metabolites as potential biomarkers for gastrointestinal dysbiosis.Aim: Identify urinary metabolites that would indicate specific changes in the gut microbiota and could be useful as biomarkers.Methods: The study group consisted of 44 children with ASD. Urinary organic acids spectra and composition of gut microbiota were analysed.Results: Any significant deviation in quantified metabolites compared to the reference values were not confirmed. The main variations were detected in concentration of p-cresol and 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3-hydroxypropionic acid (HPHPA), but we cannot confirm the presence of HPHPA in urine as a biomarker for Clostridium sp. overgrowth in the gut. The acquired results indicate higher relative abundance of Firmicutes phylum alone may be attributed to increased concentration of p-cresol in urine. Decreased Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio was found in the group with the presence of HPHPA in urine.Conclusions: Metabolites of human urine can be used as biomarkers for alterations of gut microbiota with caution, guided treatment should be administrated only based on gut microbiota analysis results or in combination with urinary organic acid results, but not solely based on organic acid biomarkers.

Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Legionella spp. in Hotel Water-Supply Systems in Latvia.

Legionella is one of the most important waterborne pathogens that can lead to both outbreaks and sporadic cases. The majority of travel-associated Legionnaires' disease (TALD) cases are contracted during hotel stays. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and genetic diversity of Legionella spp. in hotel water supply systems in Latvia. In total, 834 hot water samples were collected from the water systems of 80 hotels in Latvia. At least one Legionella spp. positive sample was detected in 47 out of 80 hotels (58.8%). Overall, 235 out of 834 samples (28.2%) were Legionella spp. positive. The average hot water temperature in Latvian hotels was 49.8 °C. The most predominant L. pneumophila serogroup (SG) was SG3 which was found in 113 (49.8%) positive samples from 27 hotels. For 79 sequenced L. pneumophila isolates, 21 different sequence types (ST) were obtained, including 3 new types-ST2582, ST2579, and ST2580. High Legionella contamination and high genetic diversity were found in the hotel water supply systems in Latvia, which, together with the insufficient hot water temperature, may indicate that the lack of regulation and control measures may promote the proliferation of Legionella.