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Published on: January 27, 2019

Effects of Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 supplementation on intestinal microbiota of preterm infants: a double-blind,

Ruchika Mohan1, Corinna Koebnick, Janko Schildt

  • 1Department of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, 14558 Nuthetal, Germany.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|September 15, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Supplementing preterm infants with Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 significantly increased bifidobacteria levels and reduced harmful bacteria like Enterobacteriaceae and Clostridium spp. This probiotic intervention helps modulate the gut microbiota in vulnerable infants.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units exhibit distinct gut microbiota compared to term infants.
  • Delayed colonization by bifidobacteria is a common characteristic in preterm infants, potentially impacting gut health.
  • Understanding gut microbiota modulation is crucial for improving infant health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 supplementation on the gut microbiota composition of preterm infants.
  • To compare culture-dependent and culture-independent methods for assessing gut microbiota changes.
  • To evaluate the impact of B. lactis Bb12 on specific bacterial groups, including bifidobacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and Clostridium spp.

Main Methods:

  • A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical study involving 69 preterm infants.
  • Utilized both culture-dependent and culture-independent (fluorescence in situ hybridization) techniques to analyze fecal microbiota.
  • Quantified bacterial counts, including Bifidobacterium, Enterobacteriaceae, and Clostridium species.

Main Results:

  • Bifidobacterial numbers were significantly higher in the probiotic group (8.18 log(10)/g) compared to the placebo group (4.82 log(10)/g) (P < 0.001).
  • Supplementation with B. lactis Bb12 led to significantly lower viable counts of Enterobacteriaceae (P = 0.015) and Clostridium spp. (P = 0.014) in the probiotic group.
  • While B. lactis Bb12 increased bifidobacteria and decreased enterobacteria and clostridia, it did not reduce colonization by antibiotic-resistant organisms.

Conclusions:

  • Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 supplementation is effective in increasing bifidobacterial populations in the gut microbiota of preterm infants.
  • Probiotic intervention with B. lactis Bb12 can beneficially modulate the gut microbiota by reducing potentially pathogenic bacteria such as Enterobacteriaceae and Clostridium spp.
  • Further research may be needed to explore the impact of B. lactis Bb12 on antibiotic-resistant organism colonization in this population.

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