Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026
Investigating the Effects of Probiotics on Pneumococcal Colonization Using an In Vitro Adherence Assay
Published on: April 28, 2014
Rapid assay to assess colonization patterns following in-vivo probiotic ingestion
Jacinta M Tobin1, Suzanne M Garland, Susan E Jacobs
1Northwest Academic Centre University of Melbourne, Sunshine Hospital, St Albans, VIC 3021, Australia.
Insights
Rapid qPCR assays can detect probiotic colonization in preterm infants. This method is crucial for studying probiotics
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Intestinal microbial colonization is vital for infant health.
- Premature infants often have disrupted gut flora and are susceptible to pathogens.
- Probiotic supplementation may offer health benefits to preterm infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and describe rapid qPCR assays for detecting probiotic species in fecal samples.
- To assess probiotic colonization in both preterm infants and adult participants.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) assays were designed to detect specific probiotic strains.
- Fecal samples were collected from preterm infants and adults after probiotic supplementation.
Main Results:
- qPCR successfully detected ingested probiotic strains: Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, and B. longum subsp. infantis.
- Differential detection of probiotic strains was observed between adult and preterm infant groups.
- Fifty percent of preterm infants continued to excrete at least two probiotic strains three weeks after supplementation ceased.
Conclusions:
- Real-time PCR provides a rapid method for assessing probiotic colonization in the preterm infant gut.
- This qPCR assay is valuable for future research on probiotics in disease prevention and improving clinical outcomes in vulnerable infant populations.
Background:
Colonization of the intestine with some microorganisms has been shown to have beneficial health effects. The association of bacteria with its human host starts soon after birth; however in infants born prematurely establishment of normal intestinal flora is interrupted with colonization with potential pathogenic organisms Probiotic supplementation may therefore be beneficial to the health of preterm infants. As most probiotic organisms are difficult to culture, confirmation of their colonization after supplementation is difficult. In this study, rapid qPCR assays for detection of presence of probiotic species in the intestine by faecal sampling is described in both preterm infant and adult participants.
Findings:
Probiotic colonization was determined using qPCR directed at amplification of organisms present in the ingested probiotic Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis and B. longum subsp. infantis. Overall, differential detection of probiotic strains in faeces were found between adult and preterm infants, with 50% of infants continuing to shed at least two probiotic strains three weeks after probiotic ingestion had ceased.
Conclusions:
This study demonstrated rapid assessment of the preterm infant gut for colonization with probiotic strains using real-time PCR. This method would be of great importance in studies of probiotics in prevention of diseases and adverse clinical outcomes.
