Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2025
Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
Published on: January 27, 2019
A Probiotic Bacterium with Activity against the Most Frequent Bacteria and Viruses Causing Pediatric Diarrhea:
José Antonio Moreno-Muñoz1, Jesús Delgado Ojeda1, Jesús Jiménez López1
1Laboratorios Ordesa S.L., Parc Científic de Barcelona, C/Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
Insights
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis IM1® is a probiotic that reduces diarrhea episodes in infants. It effectively combats gastrointestinal pathogens in preclinical and clinical studies, demonstrating safety and tolerability.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Diarrheal disease is a major cause of mortality in young children globally.
- Probiotics, particularly bifidobacteria, show promise in managing infant diarrhea.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis IM1® against gastrointestinal pathogens.
- To summarize preclinical and clinical evidence supporting IM1®'s use in infant gut health.
Main Methods:
- In vitro studies using cell lines (MA-104, HT-29) to assess pathogen inhibition and adhesion.
- Animal models to evaluate protection against rotavirus and bacterial gastroenteritis.
- Clinical study in infants under three months to assess safety, tolerability, and efficacy in reducing diarrhea.
Main Results:
- IM1® inhibited rotavirus replication by up to 36.05% and infection by up to 48.50% in vitro.
- IM1® displaced pathogens like Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella enterica from enterocytes and reduced bacterial adhesion.
- Animal studies showed protection against rotavirus and improved symptoms of bacterial gastroenteritis.
- Clinical trial demonstrated reduced diarrhea episodes, good safety, and lower constipation rates in infants.
Conclusions:
- B. longum subsp. infantis IM1® is an effective probiotic for reducing diarrhea episodes caused by various gastrointestinal pathogens.
- IM1® demonstrates significant preclinical and clinical efficacy, establishing its potential as a safe therapeutic option for infant gut health.
Abstract:
The second leading cause of death in children under five years old is diarrheal disease. Probiotics, specifically bifidobacteria, have been associated with a reduction in the number of diarrhea episodes and their severity in babies. In this paper, we summarize the preclinical and clinical evidence of the efficacy of B. longum subsp. infantis IM1® against various gastrointestinal pathogens using in vitro models, animal models, and clinical studies carried out in our laboratory. The preclinical data demonstrate that IM1® effectively inhibits rotavirus replication (by up to 36.05%) in MA-104 and HT-29 cells and from infection (up to 48.50%) through the production of an 11-amino-acid peptide. IM1® displays the capability to displace pathogens from enterocytes, particularly Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella enterica, and to reduce the adhesion to the HT29 cells of C. sakazakii and Shigella sonnei. In animal models, the IM1® strain exhibits in vivo protection against rotavirus and improves the clinical symptomatology of bacterial gastroenteritis. A clinical study involving infants under 3 months of age revealed that IM1® reduced episodes of diarrhea, proving to be safe, well tolerated, and associated with a lower prevalence of constipation. B. infantis IM1® emerges as an effective probiotic, diminishing episodes of diarrhea caused by gastrointestinal pathogens.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents
01:31Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
01:30Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages