Abstract

A study carried out with pairs of twins with and without food allergies has identified the possible role of the microbiota in this condition. 64 distinct sets of bacterial species and metabolites are identified that distinguish the groups of healthy and allergic twins. Most of these differential bacteria were members of the Clostridium class, which has already been shown in previous studies to protect against food allergies.

The enrichment of allergy-protecting bacteria in healthy twins, probably established early in development, persisted into adulthood despite separation and lifestyle changes. In addition, healthy twins demonstrated an enrichment of the diacylglycerol metabolic pathway and in two specific bacteria strains