Underwood MA, Kalanetra KM, Bokulich NA, Lewis ZT, Mirmiran M, Tancredi DJ, Mills DA. A comparison of two probiotic strains of bifidobacteria in premature infants.
J Pediatr 2013;
163:1585-1591.e9. [PMID:
23993139 PMCID:
PMC3842430 DOI:
10.1016/j.jpeds.2013.07.017]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2013] [Revised: 05/28/2013] [Accepted: 07/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To determine the impact of 2 probiotic bifidobacteria on the fecal microbiota of premature infants fed either human milk or formula.
STUDY DESIGN
In the first of two phase 1 clinical trials, 12 premature infants receiving formula feedings were assigned randomly to receive either Bifidobacterium longum ssp infantis or Bifidobacterium animalis ssp lactis in increasing doses during a 5-week period. In the second, 9 premature infants receiving their mother's milk received each of the two bifidobacteria for 2 weeks separated by a 1-week washout period. Serial stool specimens from each infant were analyzed by terminal restriction fragment-length polymorphism and quantitative polymerase chain reaction for bacterial composition.
RESULTS
Among the formula-fed infants, there was a greater increase in fecal bifidobacteria among infants receiving B infantis (Binf) than those receiving B lactis (Blac). This difference was most marked at a dose of 1.4 × 10(9) colony-forming units twice daily (P < .05). Bacterial diversity improved over dose/time in those infants receiving Binf. Among the human milk-fed infants, greater increases in fecal bifidobacteria and decreases in γ-Proteobacteria followed the administration of Binf than Blac. The B longum group (which includes Binf but not Blac) was the dominant bifidobacteria among the human milk-fed infants, regardless of the probiotic administered.
CONCLUSIONS
Binf was more effective at colonizing the fecal microbiota than Blac in both formula-fed and human milk-fed premature infants. The combination of human milk plus Binf resulted in the greatest fecal levels of bifidobacteria.
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