Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 enhances intestinal antibody response in formula-fed infants: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Addition of probiotics to infant formula may positively affect immune function in nonexclusively breastfed infants. This study aimed to investigate the effect of infant starter formula containing the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies lactis (Bb12) on intestinal immunity and inflammation. METHODS: Six-week-old healthy, full-term infants (n = 172) were enrolled in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial with 2 groups studied in parallel to a breastfed comparison group. Formula-fed (FF) infants were randomized to partially hydrolyzed whey formula (CON) or the same formula containing 10(6) colony-forming units (CFU) Bb12/g (PRO) for 6 weeks. Fecal secretory IgA (sIgA), calprotectin, lactate, and stool pH were assessed at baseline, 2 weeks, and 6 weeks. Anti-poliovirus-specific IgA and anti-rotavirus-specific IgA were assessed at 2 and 6 weeks. RESULTS: Among vaginally delivered FF infants, PRO consumption increased (P < .05) fecal sIgA compared to CON. Anti-poliovirus-specific IgA concentration increased (P < .05) in all infants consuming PRO, whereas anti-rotavirus-specific IgA tended to increase (P = .056) with PRO consumption in cesarean-delivered infants. Anthropometrics and tolerance did not differ significantly between FF infants. CONCLUSIONS: Infants consuming formula with Bb12 produced feces with detectable presence of Bb12 and augmented sIgA concentration. Furthermore, cesarean-delivered infants consuming Bb12 had heightened immune response, as evidenced by increased anti-rotavirus- and anti-poliovirus-specific IgA following immunization. These results demonstrate that negative immune-related effects of not breastfeeding and cesarean delivery can be mitigated by including Bb12 in infant formula, thereby providing infants a safe, dietary, immune-modulating bacterial introduction.

Effects of prebiotic-containing infant formula on gastrointestinal tolerance and fecal microbiota in a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Prebiotic-containing infant formula may beneficially affect gastrointestinal tolerance and commensal microbiota composition. OBJECTIVE: Assess gastrointestinal tolerance and fecal microbiota, pH, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations of infants consuming formula with or without prebiotics. DESIGN: Full-term formula-fed infants were studied to a breastfed comparison group (BF). Formula-fed infants (FF) were randomized to consume a partially hydrolyzed whey formula with (PRE) or without (CON) 4 g/L of galacto-oligosaccharides and fructo-oligosaccharides (9:1). Fecal bacteria, pH, and SCFA were assessed at baseline, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks. Caregivers of patients recorded stool characteristics and behavior for 2 days before the 3- and 6-week visits. RESULTS: Feces from infants fed PRE had a higher absolute number (P = .0083) and proportion (P = .0219) of bifidobacteria than CON-fed infants and did not differ from BF. BF had a higher proportion of bifidobacteria than CON (P = .0219) and lower number of Clostridium difficile than FF (P = .0087). Feces from formula-fed infants had higher concentrations of acetate (P < .001), butyrate (P < .001), propionate (P < .001), and total SCFAs (P = .0230) than BF; however, fecal pH was lower (P = .0161) in PRE and BF than CON. Prebiotic supplementation did not alter stool patterns, tolerance, or growth. BF had more frequent stools that were yellow (P < .0001) and more often liquid than FF (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Infant formula containing the studied oligosaccharides was well tolerated, increased abundance and proportion of bifidobacteria, and reduced fecal pH in healthy infants.

[Clinical characteristics and therapy of pan-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze clinical characteristics and therapy of pan-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (PDRAB) infection and explore the methods for effective therapy and prevention of this infection. METHODS: Nine hospitalized patients with PDRAB infection confirmed by pathogen and susceptibility testing were analyzed for the risk factors and the treatment outcomes were assessed by case analysis. RESULTS: PDRAB infections occurred mainly in patients with severe complications, most of whom had complications by diabetes or hypertension or damaged mucosal integrity due to mechanical ventilation, surgery and catheterization. The polymyxin sensitivity were 100% for these infections, but all the bacteria identified showed a antimicrobial resistance rates of 100%. The majority of the infections were acquired during hospitalization occurring mainly in the lungs; all the patients had prolonged hospitalization and received antibiotic treatments with high proportions of broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents especially third-generation cephalosporins and quinolones. Exclusive or sequential use of carbapenems and sulbactam in combination with quinolone or aminoglycoside produced favorable effects. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of hospital-acquired pan-resistance of PDRAB infections increased significantly in recent years, particularly in patients with high risk factors. The widespread use of broad-spectrum antibiotics may have some relevance to drug resistant occurrence. The application of carbapenems or sulbactam, or their sequential use, in combination with other agents may produce good effects.