Eczema-protective probiotic alters infant gut microbiome functional capacity but not composition: sub-sample analysis...

Area of Science:

• Microbiome research
• Probiotic interventions
• Infant health

Background:

• Early life probiotic use, specifically Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001, is linked to reduced infant eczema.
• The impact of this probiotic on infant gut microbiota composition and function remains incompletely understood.
• Understanding these microbial changes is crucial for elucidating eczema prevention mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantitatively and functionally examine the impact of early life probiotic exposure on infant gut microbiota development up to two years.
• To investigate the influence of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 on gut microbiota composition and functional capacity.
• To assess the effects of age, delivery mode, antibiotics, pets, and eczema on these microbial alterations.

Main Methods:

• Shotgun metagenomic sequencing of 650 infant fecal samples from birth to 24 months.
• Analysis within a randomized, controlled trial involving placebo, L. rhamnosus HN001, and B. animalis subsp. lactis HN019 supplementation.
• Correlation analysis considering factors like age, delivery mode, antibiotic use, pet ownership, and eczema development.

Main Results:

• L. rhamnosus HN001 supplementation was associated with a 50% reduction in eczema risk.
• Probiotic use led to increased abundance of L. rhamnosus and enhanced gut microbiota glycerol-3 phosphate transport capacity.
• No significant changes in overall gut microbiota composition or diversity were observed with probiotic intervention.
• Infants who developed eczema showed increased microbial capacity for glycosaminoglycan degradation and flagellum assembly.

Conclusions:

• Early life supplementation with L. rhamnosus HN001 enhances infant gut microbiota's glycerol-3 phosphate transport capacity.
• This functional alteration in the gut microbiome may be a key mechanism underlying the observed reduction in eczema risk.
• Further research is warranted to explore the mechanistic links between these microbial functional changes and long-term infant health outcomes.