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Antagonistic effect of Lactobacillus strains against gas-producing coliforms isolated from colicky infants

Francesco Savino1, Lisa Cordisco, Valentina Tarasco

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Regina Margherita Children Hospital, Torino, Italy. francesco.savino@unito.it

BMC Microbiology
|July 2, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Two Lactobacillus strains inhibited gas-producing coliforms linked to infantile colic. This research may lead to new probiotic treatments for colic by targeting gut bacteria.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infant Health
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Infantile colic is a common infant issue with unknown causes, possibly linked to intestinal gas.
  • The role of gut microbiota gas production in colic is not well understood.
  • Lactobacilli supplementation shows promise, but mechanisms require clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the interaction between Lactobacillus strains and gas-forming coliforms in colicky infants.
  • To assess the potential of Lactobacillus species in managing colic-related gut issues.

Main Methods:

  • Coliforms were isolated from stools of colicky and control infants.
  • Gas-forming capability of coliforms was assessed.
  • 27 Lactobacillus strains were tested for antagonistic effects against coliforms using halo-forming and co-culture methods.

Main Results:

  • Colicky infants had significantly higher total coliform counts than controls.
  • Identified coliforms included Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
  • Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. delbrueckii DSM 20074 and L. plantarum MB 456 inhibited all tested coliforms.

Conclusions:

  • Two Lactobacillus strains demonstrated antimicrobial activity against gas-forming coliforms from colicky infants.
  • These findings suggest potential for specific Lactobacillus strains in managing infantile colic by targeting coliform colonization.
Abstract

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