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Updated: Aug 7, 2025
Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
Published on: January 27, 2019
Clinical NEC prevention practices drive different microbiome profiles and functional responses in the preterm
Charlotte J Neumann1, Alexander Mahnert1, Christina Kumpitsch1
1Diagnostic and Research Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine; Medical University of Graz, Graz, Styria, 8010, Austria.
Insights
Supplementation with Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis NCDO 2203 in preterm infants significantly reduces antibiotic resistance by promoting gut microbiome development. This probiotic is most effective when combined with human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs).
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Microbiome Research
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Preterm infants with very low birthweight face high risks of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
- Understanding the gut microbiome's role is crucial for developing preventive strategies against NEC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To functionally analyze three successful NEC preventive regimens.
- To characterize the gut microbiome, its function, and metabolic profiles in at-risk preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal fecal sample analysis of 55 preterm infants (<1500g) over two weeks.
- Utilized 16S rRNA gene sequencing and shotgun metagenomics for microbiome profiling (bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses).
- Assessed microbial function, virulence factors, antibiotic resistances, and metabolic profiles, including human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and short-chain fatty acids.
Main Results:
- Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis NCDO 2203 supplementation globally affected microbiome development, enhancing the genomic potential to convert HMOs.
- NCDO 2203 engraftment correlated with a significant reduction in microbiome-associated antibiotic resistance compared to other regimens.
- The benefits of NCDO 2203 were contingent upon simultaneous feeding with HMOs.
Conclusions:
- Preventive NEC regimens significantly impact the development and maturation of the gastrointestinal microbiome.
- Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis NCDO 2203 supplementation, combined with HMOs, fosters a resilient microbial ecosystem.
- This approach reduces pathogenic threats in preterm infants at high risk for NEC.
Abstract:
Preterm infants with very low birthweight are at serious risk for necrotizing enterocolitis. To functionally analyse the principles of three successful preventive NEC regimens, we characterize fecal samples of 55 infants (<1500 g, n = 383, female = 22) longitudinally (two weeks) with respect to gut microbiome profiles (bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses; targeted 16S rRNA gene sequencing and shotgun metagenomics), microbial function, virulence factors, antibiotic resistances and metabolic profiles, including human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and short-chain fatty acids (German Registry of Clinical Trials, No.: DRKS00009290). Regimens including probiotic Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis NCDO 2203 supplementation affect microbiome development globally, pointing toward the genomic potential to convert HMOs. Engraftment of NCDO 2203 is associated with a substantial reduction of microbiome-associated antibiotic resistance as compared to regimens using probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus LCR 35 or no supplementation. Crucially, the beneficial effects of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis NCDO 2203 supplementation depends on simultaneous feeding with HMOs. We demonstrate that preventive regimens have the highest impact on development and maturation of the gastrointestinal microbiome, enabling the establishment of a resilient microbial ecosystem that reduces pathogenic threats in at-risk preterm infants.
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