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Updated: Jun 24, 2025
A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization
Published on: November 16, 2016
Paternal and induced gut microbiota seeding complement mother-to-infant transmission
Léonard Dubois1, Mireia Valles-Colomer2, Alise Ponsero3
1Department CIBIO, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy.
Abstract:
Microbial colonization of the neonatal gut involves maternal seeding, which is partially disrupted in cesarean-born infants and after intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis. However, other physically close individuals could complement such seeding. To assess the role of both parents and of induced seeding, we analyzed two longitudinal metagenomic datasets (health and early life microbiota [HELMi]: N = 74 infants, 398 samples, and SECFLOR: N = 7 infants, 35 samples) with cesarean-born infants who received maternal fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). We found that the father constitutes a stable source of strains for the infant independently of the delivery mode, with the cumulative contribution becoming comparable to that of the mother after 1 year. Maternal FMT increased mother-infant strain sharing in cesarean-born infants, raising the average bacterial empirical growth rate while reducing pathogen colonization. Overall, our results indicate that maternal seeding is partly complemented by that of the father and support the potential of induced seeding to restore potential deviations in this process.
Insights
The father is a key source of infant gut microbes, complementing maternal seeding disrupted by C-sections or antibiotics. Maternal fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) can restore microbial balance in cesarean-born infants.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Neonatal health
- Microbial ecology
Background:
- Neonatal gut microbial colonization is crucial for infant health.
- Maternal seeding is the primary source but can be disrupted by cesarean birth and antibiotics.
- Alternative microbial sources may compensate for disrupted maternal seeding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of both parents as microbial sources for infants.
- To assess the impact of maternal fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on microbial colonization in cesarean-born infants.
- To evaluate the potential of induced seeding to restore infant gut microbiota.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of two longitudinal metagenomic datasets (HELMi and SECFLOR) involving cesarean-born infants.
- Tracking microbial strain sharing between infants and parents.
- Comparison of microbial colonization patterns before and after maternal FMT.
Main Results:
- Fathers serve as a consistent source of microbial strains for infants, regardless of delivery mode.
- Maternal FMT enhanced mother-infant microbial sharing in cesarean-born infants.
- Maternal FMT increased bacterial growth rates and reduced pathogen colonization in infants.
Conclusions:
- Infant gut microbial colonization is influenced by both maternal and paternal contributions.
- Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a viable strategy to restore the infant gut microbiome after disruptions.
- Induced seeding, like maternal FMT, can positively impact neonatal microbial development and health.
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