[Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis CECT 7210 (B. infantis IM-1®) shows activity against intestinal pathogens]

Diarrhea caused by severe acute gastroenteritis is one of the main causes of infant mortality in children under 5 years of age. Therefore, it is interesting to perform a preclinical and clinical validation of the efficacy of B. longum subsp. infantis IM-1® against various gastrointestinal pathogens. B. infantis IM-1® was evaluated against different gastrointestinal pathogens that cause diarrhea in infants, using in vitro models, animal models, and clinical studies. B. infantis IM-1® is able in an in vitro model of MA-104 and HT-29 cells to inhibit rotavirus replication (up to 36.05%) as well as to protect cells from infection due to rotavirus (up to 48.50 %). An 11-amino acid peptide (MHQPHQPLPPT) with a molecular mass of 1,282 KDa produced by this probiotic with antirotaviral capacity has been identified. In a murine model, the IM-1® strain has been shown to provide in vivo protection against rotavirus infection. In adhesion experiments with HT29, IM-1® was able to displace some pathogens from the enterocyte, especially Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella enterica, and prevent the adhesion of C. sakazakii and Shigella sonnei. In a clinical study with 190 babies under 3 months of age, IM-1® reduced episodes of diarrhea, being safe, well tolerated and associated with a lower prevalence of constipation. B. infantis IM-1® is a safe, well tolerated and effective probiotic in reducing episodes of diarrhea caused by the main gastrointestinal pathogens in infants.