A large scale metagenomic analysis of the faecal microbiota in preterm infants developing necrotising enterocolitis


Ellaby, N (2018) A large scale metagenomic analysis of the faecal microbiota in preterm infants developing necrotising enterocolitis. PhD thesis, University of Liverpool.

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Abstract

Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is an inflammatory intestinal disorder affecting premature infants. Despite the worldwide improvement of health care practices and facilities raising the survival rates of neonatal premature infants, there has not been any improvement in treatment options or mortality rates for NEC. There has been an extensive volume of research into NEC, though to date there has not been any evidence to directly associate a causal agent to this devastating disease, nor have there been any conclusive observations of NEC prior to birth. The only key prognostic signal for NEC is that onset and severity of the disease are significantly associated with the prematurity of the neonatal infant. During the process of birth, the infant transitions from the near sterile conditions of the womb to the outside environment teeming with bacteria. Only then does the infant develop a symbiotic relationship as a host to beneficial bacteria. Upon this transition the community of gut microbes develops and aids in a range of host functions, namely digestion and absorption of nutrients, as well as the immune response. It is also at this time that NEC can begin to develop in the lower gastrointestinal tract. This ... (continues)

Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
Uncontrolled Keywords: Metagenomics, Necrotising Enterocolitis, Machine Learning, 16S rRNA Sequencing
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 28 Nov 2018 11:35
Last Modified: 04 Apr 2025 11:16
DOI: 10.17638/03025353
Supervisors:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3025353
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