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Diversity of gut Bifidobacterium species is not altered between allergic and non-allergic French infants

A J Waligora-Dupriet1, F Campeotto, K Romero

  • 1Ecosystème Intestinal, Probiotiques, Antibiotiques, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France. anne-judith.waligora@parisdescartes.fr

Anaerobe
|May 3, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Bifidobacterium colonization in infants is diverse, with multiple species and strains found regardless of allergic status. This suggests the link between gut bacteria and allergies is more complex than previously thought.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Clinical studies suggest a link between allergic diseases and gut microbiota composition.
  • Bifidobacterium species are key colonizers of the infant gut microbiome.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate Bifidobacterium colonization at species and strain levels in allergic versus non-allergic infants.
  • To determine if Bifidobacterium diversity correlates with allergic status in early life.

Main Methods:

  • Faecal microbiota analysis using culture methods and TTGE.
  • Identification of Bifidobacterium species and strains via multiplex PCR and Box-PCR fingerprinting.
  • Comparison between ten allergic infants and 20 matched controls.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in colonization levels of main aerobic/anaerobic genera between groups.
  • All infants, except one in each group, showed high Bifidobacterium colonization.
  • One to 5 Bifidobacterium species and 1 to 7 strains were identified per infant, irrespective of allergic status.

Conclusions:

  • Infant gut microbiota exhibits diverse Bifidobacterium colonization with multiple species and strains.
  • Bifidobacterium colonization diversity is not directly related to allergic status in this cohort.
  • The relationship between Bifidobacterium and allergic diseases is complex and not solely dependent on species-level presence.

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