Aim: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a prevalent neuropsychiatric condition affecting a person’s ability to interact and socialize. It varies in severity, but the majority are unable to work or develop partnerships. There are currently no treatments. Microflora abnormalities have been investigated in relation to the neuropsychiatric manifestations in ASD. Various abnormalities have been identified, and to date there are no refutation studies discoverable.
Methods: A total of 147 patients with ASD had undergone quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) stool analysis at initial presentation and had been free from antibiotics for the previous three months. The proportion of firmicutes to bacteriodetes phyla were calculated in a percentage ratio. Controls were taken from patients who had attended the outpatient clinic around the same time, had not had antibiotics for three months and did not have a diagnosis of ASD.
Results: There was a significant increase in the proportion of firmicutes in the patients with ASD versus controls (63:37 in ASD patients (n=147) versus 55:45 in controls (n=12), mean difference of 8.6% P=0.005, CI=3.1 – 12.9). Significance remained after correction for age and sex.
Conclusion: In this retrospective analysis, patients with ASD had a significantly different composition of microflora than unhealthy controls. This adds to the growing body of evidence that ASD patients have abnormal microflora. Longitudinal population studies examining a potential causal link between microflora and ASD onset/ symptomology are crucial for examining preventative, harm-reduction and treatment interventions in this oftendebilitating condition.
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