Clostridia in premature neonates' gut: incidence, antibiotic susceptibility, and perinatal determinants influencing

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Laurent Ferraris1, Marie José Butel, Florence Campeotto

  • 1Université Paris Descartes, EA4065, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Paris, France.

Plos One
|February 1, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Clostridia commonly colonize premature neonates, with susceptibility to antibiotics, suggesting the NICU environment influences colonization. Antibiotic courses did not affect incidence but reduced colonization levels.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Neonatalogy
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Gut microbiota in premature neonates (PN) is understudied, especially Clostridia colonization.
  • Aberrant microbiota is a risk factor for intestinal infections in PN.
  • Antibiotic use in PN and its impact on Clostridia colonization patterns are poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine Clostridium species distribution in PN feces.
  • To analyze antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Clostridium species in PN.
  • To identify perinatal determinants of Clostridia colonization in PN.

Main Methods:

  • Fecal samples collected from 76 premature neonates until hospital discharge.
  • Clostridium species identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing performed.
  • Perinatal factors and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) environment analyzed for colonization influence.

Main Results:

  • 79% of PN were colonized by Clostridia, with increasing colonization during hospitalization.
  • Clostridia strains were susceptible to tested anti-anaerobic antibiotics, except for Clostridium difficile.
  • Antibiotic courses (antenatal or prolonged neonatal) reduced colonization levels, but not incidence. NICU environment influenced colonization incidence.

Conclusions:

  • Clostridia are a common component of the premature neonate gut microbiota.
  • High Clostridia prevalence is not due to antibiotic resistance; strains are largely susceptible.
  • The NICU environment is the primary perinatal determinant of Clostridia colonization in premature neonates.
Abstract

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