Enteric bifidobacteria: isolation from human infants and challenge studies in mice

Bifidobacteria from breast-fed infants, formula-fed infants, or premature babies fed by parenteral methods were isolated and identified. The persistence of these microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract of mice, after oral administration, was studied to determine the optimal dose and frequency of translocation to the liver and spleen. The rate of isolation among infants varied between 19 and 82% depending on the origin of the samples, with the highest values seen in breast-fed babies. The predominant species found in all cases was Bifidobacterium adolescentis. The optimal dose for oral administration of bifidobacteria to mice was 10(7) cells per day per animal for up to 2, 5, or 7 days. These bacteria remained up to 5 days postfeeding, even if feeding was interrupted. The results of bacterial translocation assays showed differences for the different strains and doses tested.