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Evaluation of the effects of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis on newborn intestinal microbiota using a sequencing

Irene Aloisio1, Andrea Quagliariello2, Sara De Fanti2

  • 1Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Bologna, viale Fanin 42, 40127, Bologna, Italy.

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
|March 15, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) significantly alters newborn gut microbiota, reducing beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium and increasing potentially harmful microbes. This may increase infants' risk for future health issues.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Neonatal Health
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Early gut microbiota colonization is crucial for infant development.
  • Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) is common for Group B Streptococcus positive mothers but its effect on infant microbiota is understudied.
  • Antibiotic use during pregnancy can impact the infant's developing microbiome.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of maternal intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) on the gut microbiota composition of neonates.
  • To compare the fecal microbiota of infants born to mothers who received IAP versus those who did not.
  • To identify specific bacterial taxa affected by IAP exposure.

Main Methods:

  • High-throughput DNA sequencing of seven 16S rDNA hypervariable regions (V2, V3, V4, V6+V7, V8, V9).
  • Utilized Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine for sequencing.
  • Focused on the V4 region for detailed analysis of microbial richness and diversity.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences observed in neonatal gut microbiota composition following maternal IAP.
  • Reduced abundance of Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes, with an overrepresentation of Proteobacteria in IAP-exposed infants.
  • IAP infants showed decreased microbial richness, biodiversity, and a reduction in Bifidobacterium spp., alongside an increase in Enterobacteriaceae.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal IAP significantly alters the neonatal gut microbiome, decreasing beneficial bacteria and increasing potentially pathogenic ones.
  • The observed microbial dysbiosis in IAP-exposed infants may predispose them to gastrointestinal and other health problems later in life.
  • Further research is needed to understand the long-term health implications of IAP-induced microbiome alterations.

Keywords:
16S rDNA hypervariable regionsGut microbiotaIntrapartum antibiotic prophylaxisNewbornsNext generation sequencing technology

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