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Longitudinal characterization of bifidobacterial abundance and diversity profile developed in Thai healthy infants

Khanitta Kongnum1, Siriporn Taweerodjanakarn1, Tipparat Hongpattarakere2

  • 1Department of Industrial Biotechnology, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand.

Archives of Microbiology
|March 19, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Early infant gut microbiota development is crucial for health. Breastfeeding promotes bifidobacteria colonization, essential for infant gut health, with strains potentially originating from maternal milk.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infant Gut Microbiome
  • Human Health

Background:

  • Early life microbial colonization is vital for infant health.
  • Bifidobacteria play a critical role in establishing a healthy infant gut microbiome.
  • Understanding the influence of feeding regimens on infant gut microbiota is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To longitudinally analyze and characterize fecal bifidobacterial profiles in infants.
  • To investigate the association between feeding regimens (breastfeeding vs. formula feeding) and bifidobacterial colonization.
  • To determine the origin of persisting bifidobacterial strains in the infant gut.

Main Methods:

  • Enumeration of dominant fecal microbiota using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH).
  • Analysis of bifidobacterial diversity and strain variants using nested PCR-DGGE.
  • Comparison of fecal microbiota profiles with human milk microbiota from mother-infant pairs.

Main Results:

  • Exclusive breastfeeding was strongly associated with the predominance of bifidobacteria (32-70% relative abundance).
  • Multiple bifidobacterial species and strain variants were continuously detected in exclusively breast-fed and combination-fed infants.
  • Exclusively formula-fed infants showed transient bifidobacterial species, with persisting strains potentially originating from maternal breast milk.

Conclusions:

  • Breastfeeding plays a pivotal role in supporting the colonization and succession of bifidobacteria in the infant gut.
  • The maternal milk microbiome is a likely source of beneficial bifidobacteria for infants.
  • Early gut microbiome composition influenced by feeding practices has long-term health implications.

Keywords:
Bifidobacterial diversityBreast-fed infantHuman milkInfant gut microbiotaVertical transfer

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