Supplementation with a probiotic mixture accelerates gut microbiome maturation and reduces intestinal inflammation in...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Neonatalogy
• Immunology

Background:

• Premature infants often receive probiotics to prevent necrotizing enterocolitis and neonatal sepsis.
• The impact of probiotics on infant gut microbiome assembly and immune system development remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of a specific probiotic mixture on the gut microbiome's composition and function in extremely premature infants.
• To determine if probiotics influence the trajectory of microbiome maturation and associated immune responses.

Main Methods:

• A randomized intervention trial was conducted involving extremely premature infants.
• Infants received daily administration of a probiotic product containing Bifidobacterium and Lacticaseibacillus strains.
• Microbiome composition, functional trajectory, and immune milieu were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Daily probiotic administration accelerated the development of a mature, term-like gut microbiome.
• The probiotic intervention led to increased microbiome stability and species interconnectivity.
• Bifidobacterium strains were identified as key drivers of microbiome maturation, influencing the intestinal immune environment towards an anti-inflammatory state.

Conclusions:

• Bifidobacterium strains act as 'ecosystem engineers,' significantly accelerating gut microbiome maturation in extremely premature infants.
• Probiotic-induced microbiome maturation has notable immunological consequences, promoting an anti-inflammatory intestinal environment.
• This study highlights the potential of targeted probiotic interventions for improving infant gut health and immunity.