Detection and first characterization of an uncommon haptoglobin in porcine saliva of pigs with rectal prolapse by using boronic acid sample enrichment

Salivary glycoprotein profiles, obtained after boronic acid enrichment, were studied for the first time in pigs in order to search for specific overall alterations related to acute inflammatory condition. Five healthy pigs and five pigs suffering from rectal prolapse were used, and the levels of acute phase proteins were measured to determine the degree of inflammation of the animals. The enriched glycoprotein profiles, achieved by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) were statistically evaluated and spots that appeared differentially regulated between states were subjected to MS analysis for protein identification. Spots from three unique proteins were identified: carbonic anhydrase VI (CA VI), α-1-antichymotrypsin and haptoglobin (Hp). CA VI appeared as two adjacent horizontal spot trains in the glycoprotein profile of healthy animals in its regular isoelectric points (pI). One spot of α-1-antichymotrypsin was found in saliva from pigs with rectal prolapse in an unusual basic pI, and was considered as a breakdown product. Hp was identified as several spot trains in saliva from pigs with rectal prolapse in an unusual alkaline pI and was consequently further investigated. SDS-PAGE and 2DE of paired serum and saliva samples combined with Western blot analysis showed that the unusual Hp position observed in saliva samples was absent in serum. Furthermore, N-glycans from serum and saliva Hp glycopatterns were evaluated from SDS-PAGE Hp bands and showed that the serum N-glycan distribution in Hp β-chain was comparable in quantity and quality in both groups of animals. In saliva, no Hp β-chain derived N-glycans could unambiguously be identified from this sample set, thus needing further detailed investigations in the future.     

Serum amyloid-A (SAA) and haptoglobin (Hp) plasma concentrations in newborn calves

The concentrations of 2 major bovine acute-phase proteins, haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid-A (SAA), were measured in plasma obtained shortly after birth from 22 healthy calves. In a separate group of diseased calves (n = 8), Hp and SAA concentrations were measured to determine whether newborn calves (up to 4 d old) are able to produce SAA and Hp. In blood samples taken directly after birth, the Hp plasma concentrations were all below the limit of detection. The mean SAA concentration was independent of weight (r = 0.063), degree of acidosis (r = -0.125), sex (p > 0.05), and were not different in calves born after different types of obstetrical help (p > 0.05). In the group of diseased calves, an increased Hp concentration was measured in only 2 of 8 animals, whereas the mean SAA concentration was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in the healthy newborn calves. These data suggest that prenatal stress due to parturition does not form a stimulus for the production of acute-phase proteins in the fetal calf. The low Hp plasma concentrations might indicate that either it takes a few days to establish a detectable concentration of this protein, or that Hp production is not fully developed in newborn calves.     

Establishing physiological blood parameters in the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta)

The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), one of the three sea turtle species inhabiting the Mediterranean Sea, is an endangered species. However, although frequently treated in marine animal rescue centers, and the subject of several studies in literature, as yet, few studies have been conducted on large numbers of loggerhead sea turtles in order to establish physiological reference ranges that enable the identification of pathological values. The lack of studies on reference parameters probably depends on the fact that marine turtles treated in wildlife rescue centers are usually in a critical conditions, thus precluding the collection of data on healthy animals and compromising the reliability of any data obtained from them. The present biological study was therefore conducted in order to obtain a database from healthy animals in natural conditions. Serum biochemistry and serum protein electrophoresis were performed on blood samples obtained from 65 healthy adult loggerhead sea turtles captured and delivered to the Sea Turtle Rescue Center of Linosa (Italy); the blood samples were collected during the clinical examination of rescued animals. Laboratory analyses of serum samples were made in order to establish reference parameters, commonly required for laboratory diagnoses in mammals and diseased animals.

Longitudinal analysis of acute-phase proteins in saliva in pig farms with different health status

This study assesses the utility of saliva samples to monitor the time course of the acute-phase response to different viruses in pigs under field conditions by using time-resolved immunofluorometric assays (TR-IFMA). A total of 30 pigs from three different farms, located in Southeast Spain, were used. Farm 1 had outbreaks of porcine circovirus type 2, farm 2 had infections with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and farm 3 had concomitant infections with both viruses. Serology was used to determine the time of seroconversion of pigs to two different pathogens. The levels of two acute-phase proteins (APPs), C-reactive protein (CRP) and haptoglobin (Hp), were measured in saliva and serum samples and compared with pig's serology. Kinetic curves of both APPs across the study obtained in saliva samples were similar to those of serum, with R of 0.68 and 0.78 for CRP and Hp, respectively. The median CRP and Hp concentrations in saliva were higher around the theorized time of infection, according to previous experimental studies, and at seroconversion of animals. CRP increments were apparent 1 week before the increments obtained in Hp. These findings indicate that salivary APP concentrations, by using TR-IFMA, can be used in longitudinal studies as non-invasive early indicators of health status.     

Minimally invasive biomarkers to detect maternal physiological status in sow saliva and milk

In this study, we aimed to validate existing plasma assays to measure biomarkers for maternal signalling in milk and saliva of lactating sows. These biological samples are minimally invasive to the animal and could give a physiological profile of maternal qualities available to their piglets. Sows were farrowed in a zero-confinement system, and their colostrum and milk samples were manually collected during naturally occurring let-downs (i.e. not induced) over the lactation period. Saliva sampling involved sows voluntarily accepting cotton buds to chew without restraint. Commercial kits designed for blood plasma were tested, and any modifications and results are given. We successfully measured total protein, cortisol, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and oxytocin in pig milk and saliva and immunoglobulin G (IgG) in pig milk samples. We were unsuccessful at measuring relaxin and serotonin in these biological samples. We observed higher levels of biomarkers in milk than in saliva. The measurement of TNF-α in pig milk for the first time revealed increased levels with larger litters. This development will allow more detailed understanding of biomarkers in milk. There was also evidence that the minimally invasive technique of using saliva sampling did not interrupt natural oxytocin production around parturition.     

Non-targeted metabolomics of saliva to explore potential biomarkers for gastric ulceration in pigs fed hemp

Gastric ulceration is a common disease in pig production worldwide and is associated with economic losses as well as animal health and welfare issues. The aim of this study was to explore potential salivary biomarkers for gastric ulceration in pigs. In addition, the aim was to study the effect of hemp on the incidence of gastric ulcers. Approximately 440 growing-finishing pigs in the period from 30 to 110 kg BW were allocated to four different diets: meal feed (Meal); pelleted feed (Pellets); pelleted feed added 4% hempseed cake (Hemp Cake); pelleted feed added 4% hempseed hulls (Hemp Hulls). The day before slaughter, saliva samples from each pig were collected. After slaughter, the stomachs were emptied to assess the consistency of the stomach content and examined for gastric ulceration using an index scale (0–10). Noticeable changes of the gastric mucosa (total index score ≥ 6) were observed in 291 pigs. The odds of having index scores 0–5 relative to index scores 6–8 and 9–10, respectively, were higher (P < 0.001) for pigs fed Meal compared to pigs fed Pellets. The odds of suffering from severe gastric ulcers tended (P = 0.08) to be lower in pigs fed Hemp Hulls compared to pigs fed Pellets. A non-targeted liquid chromatography mass spectrometry based metabolomics analysis was performed on saliva samples to determine any separation between pigs with healthy stomachs and those with gastric ulcers and to examine a possible correlation between gastric ulcer index and potential biomarkers. Partial least-squares discriminant analysis showed a separation between pigs with ulcers and those with healthy stomachs/hyperkeratosis (HK). Metabolites contributing to the separation between groups were identified. Levels of oxylipins deriving from linoleic acid were lower (P < 0.001) in pigs with ulcers compared to healthy/HK pigs. This may indicate a shift in the metabolic pathways towards more pro-inflammatory arachidonic acid-derived eicosanoids, which might reflect an increased inflammatory response. Thus, reduced levels of oxylipins derived from linoleic acid seemed to be associated with active gastric ulcers, and thereby they might function as biomarkers for gastric ulceration in pigs. In addition, supplementation of hempseed hulls had a beneficial effect on severe gastric ulcers, as hempseed hulls changed the consistency of the gastric content by conferring more solidness. However, it was not possible to observe any reliable separation between pigs fed pellets supplemented with hemp products and pigs fed non-supplemented pellets according to the identified salivary metabolites.     

The reliability of saliva as a sample for the detection of hepatitis A immunoglobulins under various sampling conditions

Background: Saliva is increasingly being investigated as an alternative to serum for diagnostic and epidemiological testing even though antibody levels are substantially lower in buccal cavity fluids. However, there has been little study on whether buccal cavity activity and/or the timing of saliva sampling affects the diagnostic outcome, particularly in seropositive subjects. The absence of influence by these factors may be critical to the use of saliva for pre-vaccination screening for example.Objectives: The effects of eating, brushing of teeth and circadian rhythm on the measureable salivary immune status of 42 healthy individuals known to be serum and saliva anti-HAV positive were examined.Study design: A total of 141 saliva samples obtained from the 42 healthy subjects, before and after meals, before and after brushing of teeth and at various timepoints throughout the day, were assayed for total anti-HAV using an in-house saliva based enzyme-immunoassay, previously shown to have a 100% correlation in terms of sensitivity and specificity with a serum based assay.Results: The results indicated that total anti-HAV titres varied according to the time of day and that eating had no significant effect on the total anti-HAV titre, but brushing of teeth did. Titres never varied to the extent that a result was falsely negative at any timepoint.Conclusion: These results confirm the usefulness of saliva as a diagnostic sample for the detection of hepatitis A antibody, regardless of sampling times, eating or tooth-brushing.     

An NMR- and MS-based metabonomic investigation of saliva metabolic changes in feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORL)-diseased cats

The feline odontoclastic resorptive lesion (FORL) is a common oral problem in cats. The disease has increased steadily since the domestication of cats and etiology of this disease has not been fully determined although several theories have been proposed. Feeding practices, vaccination, and neutering programs have all been suspected to be associated with FORL. The aim of the current study is to assess the feasibility of metabonomics to detect at an early stage the onset of the disease. The diagnostic biomarkers could then be used as “efficacy markers” for nutritional intervention in preventing and/or slowing the progression of FORL. ¹H-NMR- and LC/MS-based metabonomic analysis of saliva samples obtained from a group of 21 cats (11 healthy and 10 FORL diseased) showed clear differences in the metabolic composition of saliva from healthy and FORL-diseased cats. To identify biomarkers, the spectroscopic data was processed using partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and validated by leave-one-subject-out cross validation. The PLS-DA model predicted FORL- diseased cats with over 60% accuracy. The maximum value of Q² of the random permutation sets was less than 0.3. The diseased cats showed increased levels of many organic and amino acids, such as acetate, lactate, propionate, isovalerate, tryptamine, and phenylalanine suggesting changes in oral microflora in the disease situation. This study is preliminary and a larger study with more samples to further validate the biomarker profile predictive of an early FORL pathophysiological status is in progress.     

Pseudohypericin is necessary for the light-activated inhibition of prostaglandin E2 pathways by a 4 component system mimicking an Hypericum perforatum fraction

Hypericum perforatum (Hp) has been used medicinally to treat a variety of conditions including mild-to-moderate depression. Recently, several anti-inflammatory activities of Hp have been reported. An ethanol extract of Hp was fractionated with the guidance of an anti-inflammatory bioassay (lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced prostaglandin E₂ production (PGE₂)), and four constituents were identified. When combined together at concentrations detected in the Hp fraction to make a 4 component system, these constituents (0.1 μM chlorogenic acid (compound 1), 0.08 μM amentoflavone (compound 2), 0.07 μM quercetin (compound 3), and 0.03 μM pseudohypericin (compound 4)) explained the majority of the activity of the fraction when activated by light, but only partially explained the activity of this Hp fraction in dark conditions. One of the constituents, light-activated pseudohypericin, was necessary, but not sufficient to explain the reduction in LPS-induced PGE₂ of the 4 component system. The Hp fraction and the 4 component system inhibited lipoxygenase and cytosolic phospholipase A₂, two enzymes in the PGE₂-mediated inflammatory response. The 4 component system inhibited the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and the Hp fraction inhibited the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10). Thus, the Hp fraction and selected constituents from this fraction showed evidence of blocking pro-inflammatory mediators but not enhancing inflammation-suppressing mediators.     

Possible salivary and serum biomarkers for oral lichen planus

There are few reports concerning the potential for clinical application of oxidative stress (OS) and collagen degradation markers in oral lichen planus (OLP) patients. We investigated the possibility of using some disease-related biomarkers in saliva and serum of OLP patients. Our study included 30 patients with OLP and 30 controls. We evaluated serum and salivary OS biomarkers including 8-OHdG, MDA, uric acid, TAC and GPx. We also investigated collagen degradation markers such as CTX I and MMP-8. We found significantly increased salivary levels of MMP-8 and CTX I in the OLP group compared to controls and significant differences between the OLP and control groups in serum and saliva for 8-OHdG, MDA (significantly increased), uric acid, TAC and GPx (significantly reduced). Currently there are no criteria for evaluating which OLP patients have a greater risk of malignant transformation. In addition to clinical surveillance, the serum and salivary biomarkers that we evaluated may be useful biomarkers for monitoring OLP patients in the future.     

Variability of salivary markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant status in young healthy individuals

Objectives: Salivary advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and ferric reducing ability of saliva (FRAS) are increased in various diseases. Little data exist for these markers in the healthy population. The aim of this study was to assess the inter-individual and intra-individual variability of AGEs, AOPP, TAC, and FRAS in the saliva of young healthy individuals.

Methods: Unstimulated saliva samples were collected from 16 females and 18 males daily over a period of 30 days. Markers were measured using spectrophotometric and spectrofluorometric microplate-based methods.

Results: All salivary markers measured were significantly higher in men than in women (P?<?0.05 for AGEs; P?<?0.001 for AOPP, TAC, and FRAS). The inter-individual variability was approximately 60% for AGEs and AOPP and 30–40% for TAC and FRAS in both genders. The inter-individual variability of FRAS was higher in men vs. women (P?<?0.01). Intra-individual variability ranged from 20% for TAC, to 30% for AGES and FRAS and 45% for AOPP.

Discussion: Intra-individual variability of salivary AGEs, AOPP, TAC, and FRAS indicates that their use is currently limited to large cohort studies. Identifying the underlying factors related to the high inter-individual and intra-individual variability is needed. Sex differences should be considered in future studies.     

Evaluation of new biomarkers of stress in saliva of sheep

Some routine handling procedures can produce stress in farm animals, and an adequate control of these stressors is important to avoid the negative effects on animal health and production. The measurement of biomarkers in saliva can be a suitable tool for the evaluation and control of stress. In this report, lipase, butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), total esterase (TEA) and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activities in the saliva of sheep were evaluated as biomarkers of stress. For this purpose, they were measured after inducing stress by facing a dog (experiment 1) and shearing (experiment 2), and comparing them to other stress salivary biomarkers such as α-amylase (sAA) and cortisol, as well as heart rate (HR). Each analyte was measured at the basal time, and during and just after the end of the stressful stimulus, and at various times for the first hour after the period of stress induction. Values were compared with those obtained from a control group. Lipase was the only analyte that showed significant changes between the stress and the control group in both experiments. Although TEA and ADA increased after stress, no significant differences were seen compared with the control group. Lipase was correlated highly with sAA and HR, in experiment 1; and correlated moderately with cortisol and HR in experiment 2. Lipase showed the greatest percentage increase after the stressful stimuli and less overlap with the control group in the two experiments. From the results of this study it can be concluded that lipase, TEA, BChE and ADA are enzymes present in the saliva of sheep and that they can be measured by using simple and fast colorimetric methods. Further studies should be undertaken with regard to the possible application of lipase as a biomarker of stress in sheep.     

Serum methylation levels of TAC1. SEPT9 and EYA4 as diagnostic markers for early colorectal cancers: a pilot study

Abstract

Objective: To identify methylated genes in serum with diagnostic potentials for early colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: Serum methylation levels of up to 12 genes were measured in two sets of serum samples with the second set from 26 stage I CRC patients and 26 age/gender-matched controls.

Results: Serum methylation levels of TAC1, SEPT9, and EYA4 were significant discriminants between stage I CRC and healthy controls. Combination of TAC1 and SEPT9 rendered 73.1% sensitivity with 92.3% specificity.

Conclusion: Serum methylation levels of TAC1. SEPT9 and EYA4 may be useful biomarkers for early detection of CRC though a validation study is necessary.     

Local identification of porcine haptoglobin in salivary gland and diaphragmatic muscle tissues

In order to clarify the origin of the haptoglobin (Hp) quantified in saliva and meat juice samples, the extrahepatic localization of Hp in salivary gland and in diaphragmatic muscle, as part of the systemic acute phase response in pigs, was studied by immunohistochemistry. For this purpose a specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) produced by immunising mice with purified porcine Hp was used. Reactivity of the mAb was assessed by direct ELISA and by western blot, which showed the ability and specificity of the mAb to identify porcine haptoglobin as a purified antigen or in porcine serum in a native or denatured but non-reduced state. Five healthy and five diseased pigs were sampled at slaughter for serum and tissue procurement. Hepatic immunohistochemical analysis was used as control of the acute phase reaction status. In the liver, cell immunostaining revealed a perinuclear, cytoplasmic localization of Hp within hepatocytes, following mainly a periacinar pattern. Extrahepatic immunohistochemical analysis revealed positive cells in the glandular acini and duct epithelial cells of the salivary gland and intrasarcoplasmic immunolabelling of random diaphragmatic myofibers. A possible role of both salivary gland and diaphragmatic muscle on local Hp production could be postulated based on the present immunohistochemical study, which supports the concept that other cells besides hepatocytes may have the potential to produce Hp in the pig.     

Essential Elements as Biomarkers of Acute Kidney Injury and Spontaneous Reversion

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an important health problem and can be caused by number of factors. The use of aminoglycosides, such as gentamicin, is one of these factors. Recently, an effort has been made to find biomarkers to guide treatment protocols. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) was used to estimate the contents of Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, and Zn in serum and urine of the healthy, AKI, and spontaneous recovery (SR) groups of animals. The animal model of AKI and SR was validated by measuring serum and urinary urea and creatinine. The quantitative determination of the elements showed a decrease in serum levels of Ca, and Fe in the AKI group (P<0.01 vs. healthy), with a return to normal levels in the SR group, without a significant difference between the healthy and SR groups. In the urine samples, there was a decrease in P and Na levels in the AKI group (P<0.001 and P<0.01 vs. healthy), but Ca levels were increased in this group compared with the healthy and SR groups (P<0.01). These findings indicate that mineral elements might be useful as biomarkers for AKI.     

Haptoglobin baseline value in jennies and the effect of ovariectomy on its serum concentration

The study was conducted to determine the baseline concentration of serum haptoglobin (Hp) in jennies during the breeding and nonbreeding season and to evaluate the effects of ovariectomy on serum Hp concentrations in jennies. Eighteen adult jennies were divided in three groups: nine jennies (OVA) were ovariectomized using laparoscopic surgery, six jennies (LAP) were exploratory examined by laparoscopic surgery, and three jennies were used as a control group. Blood samples were collected from the animals at Day -6, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 5, 8, 15, 22, 29 and 36 of surgery. Serum samples were analyzed by an ELISA specifically developed for determining equine Hp. The mean weekly Hp concentration ranged between 149.76 ± 7.55 and 178.94 ± 6.67 mg/L. The Hp concentrations of clinically healthy jennies revealed no significant variation among time, and there was no effect of reproductive season on Hp concentrations in jennies. Serum Hp concentration was elevated at the first day after operations in the OVA and LAP group. Five days after the operation, the Hp concentration reached the maximum in the LAP and OVA group (278.84 ± 34.22 and 359.88 ± 35.45 mg/L, respectively) and decreased at Day 8 after the operations. On Day 22, 29 and 32 after the operations, the concentration of Hp in LAP and OVA animals was close to its concentration in the control group. In conclusion, Hp is not related to reproductive status of jennies and it can be used as an indicator for cell and tissue damage after surgical operations.     

The evaluation of basic fibroblast growth factor and fibroblastic growth factor receptor 1 levels in saliva and serum of patients with salivary gland tumor

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) is a well-known endothelial mitogen that regulates endothelial cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, and survival. In the present study, we investigated the levels of FGF2 and fibroblastic growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) in saliva and serum of patients with salivary gland tumors. Saliva and serum samples were collected from 43 patients with salivary gland tumors and 40 healthy volunteers. The FGF2 and FGFR1 concentrations in saliva and serum samples were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We found that the levels of FGF2 and FGFR1 in saliva and serum from patients with salivary gland tumors were significantly higher than those from healthy control subjects. These results suggest that salivary FGF2 and FGFR1 can be used as potential biomarkers in the diagnosis of salivary gland tumors.     

Uric acid concentration in saliva and its changes with the patients receiving treatment for hyperuricemia

To date, few studies have examined uric acid in saliva or dental calculus. The purpose of this study is to examine the uric acid concentration in saliva and serum. Saliva and blood samples were collected from 244 participants. We divided them into four groups: untreated or treated group in normal or abnormal serum uric acid concentration groups. Within the untreated group, Pearson??s correlation coefficient was used to examine the correlation between salivary and serum uric acid concentrations. We compared uric acid concentrations between saliva and serum, or between untreated and treated groups using the paired or unpaired student??s t-test. In the untreated group, uric acid concentrations in saliva and serum were significantly and positively correlated (r?=?0.503, P?<?0.01). Within the untreated group, those with abnormal serum uric acid concentrations had significantly higher uric acid concentrations in serum and saliva compared to those with normal serum uric acid concentrations (P?<?0.01). Within the untreated group, uric acid concentrations in serum were significantly higher than that in saliva (P?<?0.01). Uric acid concentrations in saliva of the treated group were significantly higher than that of the untreated group (P?<?0.01). Within the treated group, uric acid concentrations in saliva were significantly higher than that of serum, particularly in users of benzbromarone (P?<?0.01). Uric acid concentrations in saliva were lower than that in serum among non-users of benzbromarone. In contrast, uric acid concentrations in saliva of patients taking benzbromarone were higher than that in serum. We surmise that URAT1 may influence uric acid excretion in the salivary gland.     

Role of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) as an immune-diagnostic biomarker in the pathogenesis of chronic periodontal disease

ObjectiveMonocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is an important chemokine responsible for the initiation, regulation and mobilization of monocytes to the active sites of severe periodontal inflammation. The present study aims at evaluating the levels of MCP-1 in GCF, saliva and serum and to analyze the changes following phase I periodontal therapy. Assessment of possible correlations between levels of MCP-1 in the three biological fluids was also done.MethodsFifteen healthy and 30 patients of severe chronic periodontitis (diseased) participated in the study. Patients of the diseased group underwent scaling/root planing. Evaluation of PI, GI, PD, CAL and collection of samples of GCF, serum and saliva was done at baseline and 6 weeks following periodontal therapy. MCP-1 levels were quantified in all samples using ELISA.ResultsCompared to healthy controls, MCP-1 levels were statistically significantly higher in GCF (p < 0.001), saliva (p = 0.002) and serum (p < 0.001) in subjects with chronic periodontitis. Levels of MCP-1 in all the three fluids decreased significantly in patients after periodontal therapy (p < 0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between MCP-1 levels in GCF, saliva and serum in patients of chronic periodontitis both pre (r > 0.9) and post-treatment (r > 0.6).ConclusionsThe results suggest that levels of MCP-1 in GCF and saliva can be reliable indicators of severity of periodontal destruction and their serum levels reflect the systemic impact of this local inflammatory disease thereby strengthening the reciprocal oro-systemic association.     

Correlation of Gut Microbiome Between ASD Children and Mothers and Potential Biomarkers for Risk Assessment

Variation of maternal gut microbiota may increase the risk of autism spectrum disorders(ASDs) in offspring. Animal studies have indicated that maternal gut microbiota is related to neurodevelopmental abnormalities in mouse offspring, while it is unclear whether there is a correlation between gut microbiota of ASD children and their mothers. We examined the relationships between gut microbiome profiles of ASD children and those of their mothers, and evaluated the clinical discriminatory power of discovered bacterial biomarkers. Gut microbiome was profiled and evaluated by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing in stool samples of 59 mother–child pairs of ASD children and 30 matched mother–child pairs of healthy children. Significant differences were observed in the gut microbiome composition between ASD and healthy children in our Chinese cohort. Several unique bacterial biomarkers, such as Alcaligenaceae and Acinetobacter, were identified. Mothers of ASD children had more Proteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Moraxellaceae, and Acinetobacter than mothers of healthy children. There was a clear correlation between gut microbiome profiles of children and their mothers; however, children with ASD still had unique bacterial biomarkers, such as Alcaligenaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, and Clostridium. Candidate biomarkers discovered in this study had remarkable discriminatory power. The identified patterns of mother–child gut microbiome profiles may be important for assessing risks during the early stage and planning of personalized treatment and prevention of ASD via microbiota modulation.