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Presence of two Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium probiotic strains in the neonatal ileum

Rebecca Wall1, Seamus Gerard Hussey, C Anthony Ryan

  • 1Department of Biotechnology, Teagasc, Moorepark Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland.

The ISME Journal
|December 7, 2007
PubMed

Insights

This study investigated infant ileum microbiota, finding that probiotic strains Lactobacillus paracasei NFBC 338 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bb12 can colonize the infant small intestine early in life.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • The human infant gut microbiota plays a crucial role in health and development.
  • Understanding early-life colonization by specific bacterial groups is vital for infant gut health.
  • Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria are key commensal and probiotic bacteria in the gut.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the lactobacilli and bifidobacteria microbiota in the human ileum during early life.
  • To investigate the colonization potential of specific probiotic strains in infants.
  • To characterize the early-life upper intestinal tract microbial composition.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of ileostomy effluents and stool samples from infants.
  • Selective culturing on Lactobacillus selective agar and cys-MRS media.
  • Identification using pulse-field gel electrophoresis and 16S rRNA sequencing.
  • Assessment of cultivable and non-cultivable populations using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE).

Main Results:

  • The probiotic strain Lactobacillus paracasei NFBC 338 was recovered from one infant, dominating the small intestine for over 3 weeks.
  • The probiotic strain Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bb12 was identified in the other infant.
  • Both strains demonstrated colonization in the upper intestinal tract at an early life stage.

Conclusions:

  • Specific probiotic strains, L. paracasei NFBC 338 and B. animalis subsp. lactis Bb12, can be present in the infant ileum.
  • Evidence suggests these probiotic strains have the ability to colonize the infant small intestine.
  • Early-life colonization by probiotics may influence the developing infant gut microbiota.

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