Fungi: Friend or Foe? A Mycobiome Evaluation in Children With Autism and Gastrointestinal Symptoms.

This study looked at fungi in the gut of children with autism to see if they might be causing stomach problems. Researchers compared stool samples from 50 children - some with autism and tummy troubles, some with autism but no tummy issues, and some without autism. They found that fungal levels were normal in all groups and didn't cause inflammation or worsen autism symptoms. The results suggest that fungi in the gut are probably not responsible for the stomach problems that some autistic children experience.

This pilot study examined the fecal mycobiome (fungal community) in 50 children: 20 with autism and gastrointestinal symptoms, 10 with autism but no GI symptoms, and 20 typically developing children. Researchers analyzed fungal species diversity and measured inflammation markers and fungal immunity indicators. Results showed no significant differences in total fungal species abundance between groups. Candida species presence varied across groups (21% autism+GI, 56% autism-only, 25% typically developing) but differences were not statistically significant.

Candida presence did not correlate with behavioral or gastrointestinal symptoms. Inflammation markers were normal in nearly all participants, and fungal immunity levels showed no significant differences, suggesting fungi are present at normal levels in autistic children's stool.

Results do not support antifungal treatments for autism-related gastrointestinal symptoms. Clinical focus should remain on evidence-based interventions for GI management rather than mycobiome manipulation. Further research with larger samples needed to confirm these preliminary findings before making definitive clinical recommendations.

Small pilot study with limited sample size (50 participants total). Study design not clearly specified. Some samples could not be analyzed (19/20 in autism+GI group, 9/10 in autism-only group). Short-term snapshot rather than longitudinal assessment of mycobiome changes over time.

Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms often affect children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and GI symptoms have been associated with an abnormal fecal microbiome. There is limited evidence of Candida species being more prevalent in children with ASD. We enrolled 20 children with ASD and GI symptoms (ASD + GI), 10 children with ASD but no GI symptoms (ASD - GI), and 20 from typically developing (TD) children in this pilot study. Fecal mycobiome taxa were analyzed by Internal Transcribed Spacer sequencing.

GI symptoms (GI Severity Index [GSI]), behavioral symptoms (Social Responsiveness Scale -2 [SRS-2]), inflammation and fungal immunity (fecal calprotectin and serum dectin-1 [ELISA]) were evaluated. We observed no changes in the abundance of total fungal species (alpha diversity) between groups. Samples with identifiable Candida spp. were present in 4 of 19 (21%) ASD + GI, in 5 of 9 (56%) ASD - GI, and in 4 of 16 (25%) TD children (overall P = 0.18). The presence of Candida spp. did not correlate with behavioral or GI symptoms (P = 0.38, P = 0.5, respectively).

Fecal calprotectin was normal in all but one child. Finally, there was no significance in serum dectin-1 levels, suggesting no increased fungal immunity in children with ASD. Our data suggest that fungi are present at normal levels in the stool of children with ASD and are not associated with gut inflammation.