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Updated: Apr 25, 2026
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Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
Published on: January 27, 2019
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A new risk factor for neonatal vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus colonisation: bacterial probiotics.
Sevilay Topcuoglu1, Tugba Gursoy, Fahri Ovalı
1a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit , Zeynep Kamil Maternity and Children's Training and Research Hospital , Istanbul , Turkey.
Summary
This study investigated a vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) outbreak in premature infants. Probiotic use was identified as a significant risk factor for VRE colonization, raising concerns about probiotic safety.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal intensive care
- Infectious disease epidemiology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) colonization requires strict infection control.
- A VRE outbreak occurred concurrently with a probiotic trial in a neonatal intensive care unit.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between probiotic administration and VRE colonization.
- To identify risk factors associated with VRE colonization during the outbreak.
Main Methods:
- A randomized trial involving 210 infants (gestational age < 32 weeks) receiving a specific probiotic preparation.
- Investigated the correlation between probiotic use and VRE colonization during the trial period (February 2012 - August 2013).
Main Results:
- The VRE outbreak coincided with the probiotic trial's duration.
- Infants receiving probiotics showed a significantly higher rate of VRE colonization (p < 0.001).
- Vancomycin use was also a significant risk factor (p = 0.012).
Conclusions:
- Probiotic and vancomycin exposure are significant risk factors for VRE colonization in neonates.
- Probiotics may facilitate the acquisition and transfer of bacterial resistance genes.
- Further investigation into the safety of probiotics in vulnerable populations is warranted.
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