OBJECTIVETo study the characteristics of the colonization of 8 species of bifidobacteria by systematically profiling fecal bifidobacterial community in the early life of infants.

METHODSFresh fecal samples including meconium samples were collected for culture and isolation of fecal bifidobacteria from 16 cases of full-term newborn infants born between March and April 2013 at their life of 2, 4, 7, 10, 14, 28, and 90 days. The isolated fecal bifidobacteria were taxonomically identified to genus and 8 species with PCR analysis.

RESULTSOne hundred and fifty-two predominant bifidobacteria strains were detected in the fecal samples, the detection rate of B. breve (22.4%) were the highest. Bifidobacteria were found in the feces of 8% infants 4 days after birth. The colonization rates increased to 54% and 60% at 28 days and 3 months respectively, significantly exceeding the colonization rate at 4 days after birth (P<0.05). Adult-type bifidobacteria B. catenulatum were found in the infants 10 days after birth, and infant-type bifidobacteria B. infantis were found at 14 days after birth, but infant-type bifidobacteria B. infantis were detected at a high level until 3 months after birth. The most tested infants had 2 species or less of bifidobacteria.

CONCLUSIONSIntestinal bifidobacteria in infants might have less diversity in early infancy. Infant-type bifidobacteria appear late, while adult-type bifidobacteria colonize earlier.

Bifidobacterium ; classification ; isolation & purification ; Breast Feeding ; Feces ; microbiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Male

Cholesterol-lowering effect of lactic acid bacteria (LAB: Streptococcus, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium) is well-known. Thus, we investigated LAB isolated from human intestine on the cholesterol-lowering effect in vitro. Seven Streptococcus (61.1%), 11 Lactobacillus (71.8%) and 7 Bifidobacterium (27.9%) were isolated as acid (pH 2.5 and 3.0) and bile (0.3% oxgall) tolerant strains. Streptococcus HJS-1, Lactobacillus HJL-37 and Bifidobacterium HJB-4 were finally selected as probiotic strains to use through the bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity assay by using MRS media added taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA) and the cholesterol-lowering test by using soluble cholesterol containing MRS broth. These studies suggested that the isolated LAB had an excellent hypocholesterolemic effect.
Amidohydrolases/metabolism ; Bifidobacterium/*isolation&purification/physiology ; Cholesterol/*metabolism ; Feces/microbiology ; Female ; Humans ; Intestines/*microbiology ; Lactobacillus/*isolation&purification/physiology ; Male ; Probiotics/*therapeutic use ; Streptococcus/*isolation&purification/physiology ; Taurodeoxycholic Acid

BACKGROUNDOligosaccharides in human milk may protect infants by improving the intestinal micro-flora and fermentation. This study was to investigate effects of infant formula milk consisting of galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) on intestinal microbial populations and the fermentation characteristics in term infants in comparison with that of human milk.

METHODSThe test formula (Frisolac H, Friesland, Netherland) was supplemented with GOS at a concentration of 0.24 g/dl. Human milk and another formula without oligosaccharides (Frisolac H, Friesland, Netherland) were used as positive and negative control respectively. Growth, stool characteristics, and side effects of the recruited infants were recorded after 3 and 6 months' follow-up, and the fecal species were collected for the analysis of intestinal micro-flora, short chain fatty acid (SCFA) and pH.

RESULTSAt the end of 3- and 6-month feeding period, intestinal Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli were significantly increased in infants fed with GOS supplemented formula and human milk when compared with infants fed with negative control formula; however, there was no statistically significant difference between GOS supplemented formula and human milk groups. Stool characteristics were influenced by the supplement and main fecal SCFA (acetic), and stool frequency were significantly increased in infants fed with GOS supplemented formula and human milk, while the fecal pH was significantly decreased as compared with that of negative control (P < 0.05). Supplementation had no influence on incidence of side effects (including crying, regurgitation and vomiting).

CONCLUSIONSSupplementing infant formula with GOS at a concentration of 0.24 g/dl stimulates the growth of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli in the intestine and stool characteristics are similar to in term infants fed with human milk.

Bifidobacterium ; isolation & purification ; Dietary Supplements ; Galactose ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Formula ; Infant, Newborn ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Lactobacillus ; isolation & purification ; Oligosaccharides ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of a low level of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) on intestinal bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, and fermentation characteristics in term infants by comparing with human milk and a standard infant formula without GOS.

METHODSA total of 371 term infants from four hospitals of China were enrolled. The infants started with breast feeding. After 1-2 weeks, some of the infants were changed to feeding with formula milk and then were randomly assigned to two formula-feeding groups: with or without GOS supplementation (2.4 g/L). Growth, stool characteristics, and side effects were recorded in a 3-month-follow-up. Faecal samples were collected for analysis of intestinal bacteria (culture technique), acetic acid (gas chromatography) and pH (indicator strip) at postnatal 3 months.

RESULTSCompared with the formula-feeding group without GOS, the contents of bifidobacteria, lactobacilli and acetic acid and stool frequency increased, and faecal pH decreased significantly in the GOS-formula-feeding and the human milk group. There were no significant differences between the GOS-formula-feeding and the human milk groups. Supplementation with GOS did not lead to an increase in the incidence of crying, regurgitation and vomiting.

CONCLUSIONSA supplementation of low levels of GOS in infant formula seemed to improve stool frequency, decrease faecal pH, and stimulate intestinal bifidobacteria and lactobacilli up to levels as found in breast-fed infants.

Bifidobacterium ; isolation & purification ; Dietary Supplements ; Galactose ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Infant Formula ; Infant, Newborn ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Lactobacillus ; isolation & purification ; Oligosaccharides ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo examine the differential levels of fecal Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides, Eubacterium rectale-Clostridium, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus, and Clostridium difficile between patients with hepatic cirrhosis and healthy controls. Fecal samples were collected from 29 patients with hepatic cirrhosis treated in the Department of Digestive Diseases at Zunyi Hospital between March and December of 2010.

METHODSFecal samples were collected from 13 healthy college students for use as controls. All samples were assessed by pH measurement, bacterial culture for turbidity, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and laser scanning confocal microscopy. The t-test and rank correlation test were used to determine statistical significance of intergroup differences in each tested parameter.

RESULTSThe feces of patients with hepatic cirrhosis had higher pH than that of healthy controls (6.79+/-0.64 vs. 6.18+/-0.74, P less than 0.05). The bacterial turbidity was not significantly different between the feces of hepatic cirrhosis patients and healthy controls (1.15+/-0.59 vs. 1.39+/-1.01, P more than 0.05). The numbers of Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides, Eubacterium rectale-Clostridium, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus, and Clostridium difficile in feces of patients with hepatic cirrhosis were significantly lower than those of the controls (all P less than 0.01). No significant correlation was found between the number or ratio of bacteria species and the severity of hepatic cirrhosis (Child-Pugh scores; P more than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe total quantity of intestinal bacteria in patients with hepatic cirrhosis is not significantly different from that in healthy patients. However, the profile of intestinal bacteria is different, which may explain the increased pH of fecal samples from patients with hepatic cirrhosis, but the differential profile is not correlated to cirrhosis pathogenesis.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bacteroides ; isolation & purification ; Bifidobacterium ; isolation & purification ; Case-Control Studies ; Clostridium ; isolation & purification ; Enterobacteriaceae ; isolation & purification ; Feces ; microbiology ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Liver Cirrhosis ; microbiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo determine the changes in fecal Bifidobacterium species in patients with type 2 diabetes in comparison with healthy individuals.

METHODSThe bacterial DNA were extracted from the fecal samples from 50 type 2 diabetic patients and 30 healthy individuals. Real-time quantitative PCR was employed to determine the copy numbers of the bacteria in the fecal samples using 16S rRNA-targeted genus- and species-specific PCR primers for a selected group of fecal Bifidobacterium species including total Bifidobacterium, B.longum, B.breve, B.adolescent, and B. infantis.

RESULTSThe diabetic group had significantly lower copy numbers of total Bifidobacterium and B.adolescent compared to the healthy individuals (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONType 2 diabetic patients have a lowered number of Bifidobacterium species in the gut microflora.

Aged ; Bifidobacterium ; classification ; isolation & purification ; Case-Control Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; microbiology ; Feces ; microbiology ; Female ; Humans ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in fecal flora and its correlation with the occurrence and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

METHODSWe collected fresh fecal specimens from 167 IBD patients (including 113 with ulcerative colitis and 54 with Crohn's disease) and 54 healthy volunteers. The fecal flora was analyzed by gradient dilution method and the data of inflammatory markers including WBC, PLT, CRP and ESR were collected to assess the association between the fecal flora and the inflammatory markers.

RESULTSThe species Enterrococcus (6.60∓0.23, P<0.01), Saccharomyces (2.22∓0.27, P<0.05), Bacteriodes (5.57∓0.28, P<0.001), Bifidobacterium (5.08∓0.30, P<0.01), Peptococcus (6.22∓0.25, P<0.001), Lactobacillus (6.00∓0.26, P<0.001), and Clostridium (3.57∓0.30, P<0.05) all increased significantly, while Eubacterium (1.56∓0.24, P<0.01) reduced markedly in patients with ulcerative colitis compared with those in the control subjects. Enterrococcus (6.93∓0.28, P<0.01), Saccharomyces (2.73∓0.37, P<0.01), Bacteriodes (4.32∓0.52, P<0.05), Bifidobacterium (4.88∓0.42, P<0.05), Peptococcus (6.19∓0.32, P<0.01) and Lactobacillus (4.73∓0.47, P<0.001) all increased significantly and Eubacterium (1.01∓0.29, P<0.01) and Clostridium (0.87∓0.31, P<0.01) decreased in patients with Crohn's disease. The positivity rates of bacterial culture were consistent with the results of quantitative analysis of the fecal flora. The changes in fecal flora did not show a significant correlation with these inflammatory markers.

CONCLUSIONIBD patients have fecal flora imbalance compared with the healthy controls, and this imbalance may contribute to the occurrence and progression of IBD. The decline of Eubacterium contributes to the occurrence and development of IBD.

Adult ; Bacteria ; isolation & purification ; Bacteroides ; isolation & purification ; Bifidobacterium ; isolation & purification ; Biomarkers ; analysis ; Clostridium ; isolation & purification ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; microbiology ; Crohn Disease ; microbiology ; Enterococcus ; isolation & purification ; Eubacterium ; isolation & purification ; Feces ; microbiology ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; etiology ; microbiology ; Lactobacillus ; isolation & purification ; Male ; Peptococcus ; isolation & purification ; Saccharomyces ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo study the changes in gut microbiota and serum D-lactate level and their significance in children with recurrent pneumonia.

METHODSThe stool and blood samples were collected from 30 children with recurrent pneumonia (recurrent group), 30 children with acute pneumonia (acute group), and 15 children receiving surgical operation (surgery group). The 16S rRNA fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR) was applied to determine the numbers of Bifidobacterium and Escherichia coli in stool samples, and the ratio between the logarithmic values of the numbers of Bifidobacterium and Escherichia coli (B/E value) was calculated. The serum D-lactate level was measured, and correlation analysis was performed.

RESULTSThe recurrent group had a significantly lower number of Bifidobacterium and a significantly lower B/E value than the acute group and the surgery group (P<0.05), as well as a significantly higher number of Escherichia coli than the surgery group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the number of Escherichia coli between the recurrent group and the acute group. The recurrent group had a significantly higher serum D-lactate level than the acute group and the surgery group (P<0.05). In the recurrent group, B/E value was negatively correlated with serum D-lactate level (r=-0.539, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSChildren with recurrent pneumonia may have biological and mechanical barrier damage in the intestinal mucosa.

Bacteria ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Bifidobacterium ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Feces ; microbiology ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Humans ; Lactates ; blood ; Pneumonia ; blood ; microbiology ; pathology ; Recurrence

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes of intestinal flora in diarrhea type irritable bowel syndrome with Pi-wei dampness-heat syndrome (IBS-PDS).

METHODSThe seven kinds of common intestinal bacteria in feces, including enteri bacillus, enterococci, saccharomycete, bifid bacteria, lactobacillus, bacteroides and peptococcus were studied in 21 patients suffered from IBS-PDS, and compared with those in 22 patients with IBS with deficiency of Pi syndrome (DPS) and 25 healthy subjects as control.

RESULTSAs compared with the healthy subjects, the levels of enteri bacillus and enterococci were significantly increased (P<0.01), the levels of bifid bacteria, Lactobacillus and Peptococcus were significantly decreased (P < 0.01), and saccharomycete and Bacteroides were insignificantly different in patients with PDS. As compared with patients with DPS, the levels of enteri bacillus, enterococci, bifid bacteria, Lactobacillus, Peptococcus and Bacteroidaceae were significantly increased except the level of saccharomycete.

CONCLUSIONThere may be alteration of intestinal flora in patients with IBS-PDS.

Adult ; Bifidobacterium ; isolation & purification ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diarrhea ; etiology ; microbiology ; Enterobacteriaceae ; isolation & purification ; Female ; Humans ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; complications ; microbiology ; Lactobacillus ; isolation & purification ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate the potential role of intestinal bifidobacteria in the pathogenesis of gut-origin bacteria/endotoxin translocation in scalded rats.

METHODSWistar rats inflicted with 30% III degree scalding on the back were employed as the model with the rats undergoing sham injury as the control. The intestinal bacteria/endotoxin translocation and the changes in cecal mucosal microflora were determined by routine methods. And the plasma IL-6 concentration was measured with ELISA.

RESULTSThe incident of bacterial translocation into internal organs increased markedly in scalded rats (P = 0.001). The plasma LPS levels on 1, 3 and 5 postburn days (PBDs) in scalded rat group were much higher than those in sham injury group. The number of bifidobacteria decreased sharply 20 - 250 fold, the fungi increased 5 - 60 fold and E. coli increased 0.5 - 30 fold in the caecal mucosal microflora in the scalding group. The ratio of bifidobacteria to E. coli in the scalding group (4 - 800:1) was much lower than that in the sham injury group (25000:1). Furthermore, the plasma IL-6 level increased evidently in the scalding group. It was indicated by further analysis that compared with the rats without bacterial translocation, the bifidobacteria decreased 120 fold, the fungal number increased 50 fold and the E. coli number increased 30 fold in the scalded rats. The bifidobacterial number in the caecal mucosal microflora was negatively correlated with the plasma concentrations of IL-6 and LPS (P < 0.01) in the scalding rat group, and the plasma concentration of IL-6 was significantly and positively correlated with that of LPS.

CONCLUSIONSevere scalding injury could lead to an the imbalance of intestinal microflora and the increased intestinal translocation of bacteria and LPS. The decrease of the ratio and number of bifidobacteria in the caecal mucosal microflora might be a contribute to the occurrence of postburn intestinal bacteria/endotoxin translocation.

Animals ; Bacterial Infections ; blood ; microbiology ; Bacterial Translocation ; physiology ; Bifidobacterium ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Burns ; microbiology ; Colony Count, Microbial ; Escherichia coli ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Female ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Kidney ; microbiology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; metabolism ; Liver ; microbiology ; Lymph Nodes ; microbiology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spleen ; microbiology ; Time Factors