Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 25, 2026
05:39
A Neonatal BALB/c Mouse Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Published on: November 30, 2021
4.3K
Stool bacterial load in preterm infants with necrotising enterocolitis
Bashir Abdulkadir1, Andrew Nelson1, Tom Skeath2
1Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Ellison Building, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, United Kingdom.
Early Human Development
|February 20, 2016
Summary
Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) gut tissue shows higher bacteria, but stool samples reveal no significant difference in bacterial load at diagnosis or over time in NEC patients compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal research
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe gastrointestinal emergency in premature infants.
- Previous studies indicated increased bacterial presence in resected NEC gut tissue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the total bacterial load in stool samples from infants with NEC.
- To compare bacterial loads between NEC patients and healthy controls.
- To assess temporal changes in bacterial load within NEC patients.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was utilized to measure total bacterial load.
- Longitudinal stool samples were collected from 72 infants (NEC and control groups).
- Samples were analyzed at the time of NEC diagnosis and over time.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in total bacterial load was detected between NEC patients and controls at diagnosis.
- Temporal analysis showed no significant changes in bacterial load within the NEC group.
- The findings contrast with previous observations in resected gut tissue.
Conclusions:
- Stool bacterial load may not be a reliable indicator of NEC severity or progression.
- Further research is needed to understand the discrepancy between tissue and stool bacterial findings in NEC.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Bacterial Gastroenteritis
14
Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid...
14
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
15
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from...
15
01:29Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine
1.9K
The gut microbiome is formed by a vast and diverse community of bacteria that colonizes our large intestine. These bacteria start residing in the gut from birth and continue diversifying throughout life, influenced by factors such as diet, lifestyle, and stress. The gut bacterial community also includes bacteria from food and those that enter the colon through the anus.
The normal gut flora of the colon plays a critical role in generating essential vitamins such as vitamins K, B5, and B7.
The normal gut flora of the colon plays a critical role in generating essential vitamins such as vitamins K, B5, and B7.
1.9K
01:27Microbiota of the Large Intestine
12
The large intestine hosts the most densely populated microbial ecosystem in the human body. This complex community primarily consists of anaerobic bacteria, with Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes) and Bacteroidota (formerly Bacteroidetes) as the predominant groups. The distribution of these microbes varies along different sections of the large intestine, influenced by local environmental factors such as oxygen availability and nutrient composition.The cecum, located at the beginning of the large...
12
01:27Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine
17
The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is characterized by distinct physicochemical conditions that shape its microbial communities. Among these, the stomach presents a particularly challenging environment for microbial colonization due to its highly acidic pH, ranging from 1 to 3. This extreme acidity effectively limits microbial density. However, certain acid-tolerant microorganisms are capable of surviving in this niche. Notably, Helicobacter pylori can colonize the gastric mucosa,...
17