Beneficial Effects of Limosilactobacillus fermentum CECT 5716 Administration to Infants Delivered by Cesarean Section

Human Milk Microbiome from Polish Women Giving Birth via Vaginal Delivery-Pilot Study

The human milk (HM) microbiome is variable and depends on maternal, perinatal, and cultural-environmental factors. The diversity of the HM microbiome is crucial in the development of the child. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of bacteria (using culture-based methods) of Polish women with normal BMI, giving birth on time through vaginal delivery.

METHODS

The research material consisted of human milk and swabs from the areola and nipple, before and after breastfeeding, derived from Polish women (n = 86). Classic culture methods were used to obtain multiple bacteria. Species identification of the grown colonies was performed using MALDI TOF MS (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry).

RESULTS

120 species of bacteria were isolated, mainly from the genus Streptococcus and Staphylococcus. Species specific only to human milk were identified (belonging to the following genera: Microbacterium, Shewanella, Psychrobacter, Aeromonas, Serratia, Buttiauxella, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium) as well as species specific only to areola and nipple swabs after breastfeeding (Acinetobacter lactucae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum, Corynebacterium propinquim). It was confirmed that most species were present in all tested materials collected from one patient.

CONCLUSIONS

The analysis carried out showed the presence of bacteria in the human milk of Polish women, including strains of lactic acid bacteria. The human milk microbiota may significantly influence the formation of the infant's intestinal microbiota, including some key genera, i.e., Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Limosilactobacillus, which were also isolated from the tested samples. The data presented here provide new data on culturable bacterial species isolated from breast milk from Polish women giving birth via vaginal delivery and potential routes of transmission from the neonate's oral cavity.

Exploring the physicochemical, structural, metabolic, and flavor compounds of Limosilactobacillus fermentum in fermented yogurt through comparative genomics

Adding specific lactic acid bacteria to yogurt has been known to enhance both its benefits and flavor. However, differences among the strains of the same species present significant challenges. In this study, we constructed a phylogenetic tree of 232 Limosilactobacillus fermentum strains and selected seven strains with distinct evolutionary relationships for yogurt fermentation. L. fermentum FFJ12, which possesses more glycoside hydrolases (GH), had the highest growth rate and acid production. Conversely, L. fermentum FBJSY21_1, containing less GH, showed poor acid production. Yogurt texture might be related to amino acid synthesis. L. fermentum induced a high abundance of dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid anhydride, leading to a wine-like flavor in yogurt. Additionally, L. fermentum upregulated citric acid and 4-acetamidobenzoic acid levels; and downregulated phenylalanine abundance. This study provided novel insights into the selection of potential probiotics for yogurt fermentation, thereby promoting the development of precision yogurt.

Efficacy and safety of a synbiotic infant formula for the prevention of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Early life nutrition is crucial for the development of the gut microbiota that, in turn, plays an essential role in the maturation of the immune system and the prevention of infections.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate whether feeding synbiotic infants and follow-on formulas during the first year of life reduces the incidence rate (IR) of infectious diarrhea compared with standard formulas. Secondary endpoints included the IR of other infectious diseases as well as fecal milieu parameters.

METHODS

In this double-blind, controlled trial, 460 healthy, 1-mo-old infants were randomly assigned to receive a synbiotic [galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS)/Limosilactobacillus fermentum CECT 5716] (IF, n = 230) or a control formula (CF, n = 230) until 12 mo of age. A reference group of breastfed infants (HM, n = 80) was included. Data on infections were recorded throughout the study period and stool samples were collected at 4 and 12 mo of age.

RESULTS

IR of infectious diarrhea during the first year of life was 0.60 (CF), 0.56 (IF), and 0.29 (HM), with no statistically significant difference between groups. The IR of lower respiratory tract infections, 1 of the secondary endpoints, however, was lower in IF than in CF [0.79 compared with 1.01, IR ratio = 0.77 (0.60-1.00)]. Additionally, fecal pH was significantly lower at 4 mo (P < 0.0001), whereas secretory IgA was significantly higher at 12 mo of age (P = 0.015) in IF compared with CF.

CONCLUSIONS

Although no difference is observed in the incidence of diarrhea, consumption of a synbiotic formula containing L. fermentum CECT5716 and GOS in infancy may reduce the incidence of lower respiratory tract infections and affect the immune system and fecal milieu. Additional research is warranted to further investigate the potential interaction of the gut-lung axis. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02221687.

Host microbiome-pathogen interactions in pediatric infections

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

In this review, we discuss recent research that has furthered our understanding of microbiome development during childhood, the role of the microbiome in infections during this life stage, and emerging opportunities for microbiome-based therapies for infection prevention or treatment in children.

RECENT FINDINGS

The microbiome is highly dynamic during childhood and shaped by a variety of host and environmental factors. In turn, the microbiome influences risk and severity of a broad range of infections during childhood, with recent studies highlighting potential roles in respiratory, gastrointestinal, and systemic infections. The microbiome exerts this influence through both direct interactions with potential pathogens and indirectly through modulation of host immune responses. The elucidation of some of these mechanisms by recent studies and the development of effective microbiome-based therapies for adults with recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection highlight the enormous promise that targeting the microbiome has for reducing the burden of infectious diseases during childhood.

SUMMARY

The microbiome has emerged as a key modifier of infection susceptibility and severity among children. Further research is needed to define the roles of microbes other than bacteria and to elucidate the mechanisms underlying microbiome-host and microbiome-pathogen interactions of importance to infectious diseases in children.

Limosilactobacillus fermentum CECT5716: Clinical Potential of a Probiotic Strain Isolated from Human Milk

Breastfeeding provides the ideal nutrition for infants. Human milk contains a plethora of functional ingredients which foster the development of the immune system. The human milk microbiota predominantly contributes to this protective effect. This is mediated by various mechanisms, such as an antimicrobial effect, pathogen exclusion and barrier integrity, beneficial effects on the gastrointestinal microbiota, vitamin synthesis, immunity enhancement, secreted probiotic factors, and postbiotic mechanisms. Therefore, human milk is a good source for isolating probiotics for infants who cannot be exclusively breastfed. One such probiotic which was isolated from human milk is Limosilactobacillus fermentum CECT5716. In this review, we give an overview of available interventional studies using Limosilactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 and summarise preclinical trials in several animal models of different pathologies, which have given first insights into its mechanisms of action. We present several randomised clinical studies, which have been conducted to investigate the clinical efficacy of the Limosilactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 strain in supporting the host's health.