Neurodevelopment disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), are often associated with disorders of
gastrointestinal tract. Pre-clinical studies indicate that the bidirectional signaling between the intestine and the brain,
the so-called microbiome-gut-brain axis, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ASD.
The statistics of ASD varies from country to country and largely depends on population dietary traditions and life style.
Comparing publically available microbiome datasets it was concluded that the shifted microbiota can be a result of
westernization. The first statistical analysis of autism in Georgia has been performed in 2007-2009 which showed that
it is closely related to European data. This analysis was based on tests and questionnaires. However, diversity of gut
microbiota and impact of particular bacterial species on development ASD among Georgian children was never
studied.
According to available literature C. difficile is recognized to be a major cause of these disorders. Children with autism
are over 3.5 times more likely to suffer chronic diarrhea or constipation than are their normally developing peers. Oral
antibiotic vancomycin has been suggested for treatment of Clostridial species. Although short-term benefit from
antibiotic therapy has been observed, a long-term use antibiotic therapy is not recommended because of the spread of
multiply drug resistant (MDR) bacteria.
Identifying the exact etiology and pathology of ASD is difficult, and available effective therapies are limited.
Therefore, phage therapy i.e. use of bacteriophages (shortly phages) for treatment of bacterial infections has been
considered as alternatives to antibiotics. This approach, applied in Georgia since 1930s, nowadays is getting growing
interest in the world. We presume that phage therapy performed by use of bacteriophages specific to abundant autismrelated bacterial species (Clostridium) may becomes an alternative treatment for children with ASD.
The aim of the project is to study diversity of gut microbiota among Georgian children with ADS and to develop phage
therapy approach to control at least one dominating neuro toxic species such as C. difficile, which would. build up a
preliminary base for further developments.
Up to our knowledge use of bacteriophages for treatment of neurological disorders has never been done before,
therefore the suggested approach presents a novelty.