Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026
09:11
In Vitro Apical-Out Enteroid Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Published on: June 8, 2022
Preterm birth and necrotizing enterocolitis alter gut colonization in pigs.
Malene S Cilieborg1, Mette Boye, Lars Mølbak
1Department of Human Nutrition, University of Copenhagen, DK-1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark.
Pediatric Research
|October 7, 2010
Summary
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm neonates is linked to gut bacteria, but specific pathogens like Clostridium perfringens are not the cause. Broad-spectrum antibiotics prevented NEC, suggesting bacterial load and immune response are key factors.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Neonatal Research
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a critical condition in preterm neonates.
- The role of specific gut microbiota and pathogens in NEC development is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in gut microbiota between preterm and term neonates.
- To determine if Clostridium perfringens overgrowth predisposes to NEC.
Main Methods:
- Terminal-RFLP and FISH techniques were used to characterize gut microbiota.
- Studies were conducted on preterm and term pigs with varying diets and delivery methods.
Main Results:
- Preterm pigs with NEC showed a distinct microbiota with higher C. perfringens abundance compared to healthy preterm pigs.
- C. perfringens immunization and inoculation did not prevent NEC.
- Prophylactic broad-spectrum antibiotics prevented NEC.
- Term pigs had a microbiota dominated by Lactobacilli spp., differing from preterm pigs.
Conclusions:
- Gestational age and NEC significantly influence neonatal gut colonization.
- C. perfringens appears to be a consequence, not a cause, of NEC.
- High bacterial load and immature immune responses in preterm neonates are critical for NEC development.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics
Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
01:23Anatomy of the Intestines
Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the small...
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the small...