Comprehensive Analysis of the Effect of Probiotic Intake by the Mother on Human Breast Milk and Infant Fecal Microbiota.

BACKGROUND: Human breast milk (HBM) contains optimal nutrients for infant growth. Probiotics are used to prevent disease and, when taken by the mother, they may affect infant microbiome as well as HBM. However, few studies have specifically investigated the effect of probiotic intake by the mother on HBM and infant microbiota at genus/species level. Therefore, we present a comprehensive analysis of paired HBM and infant feces (IF) microbiome samples before and after probiotic intake by HBM-producing mothers. METHODS: Lactating mothers were administered with Lactobacillus rhamnosus (n = 9) or Saccharomyces boulardii capsules (n = 9), for 2 months; or no probiotic (n = 7). Paired HBM and IF samples were collected before and after treatment and analyzed by next-generation sequencing. RESULTS: Forty-three HBM and 49 IF samples were collected and sequenced. Overall, in 43 HBM samples, 1,190 microbial species belonging to 684 genera, 245 families, 117 orders, and 56 classes were detected. In 49 IF samples, 372 microbial species belonging to 195 genera, 79 families, 42 orders, and 18 classes were identified. Eight of 20 most abundant genera in both HBM and IF samples overlapped: Streptococcus (14.42%), Lactobacillus, Staphylococcus, and Veillonella, which were highly abundant in the HBM samples; and Bifidobacterium (27.397%), Bacteroides, and Faecalibacterium, which were highly abundant in the IF samples. Several major bacterial genera and species were detected in the HBM and IF samples after probiotic treatment, illustrating complex changes in the microbiomes upon treatment. CONCLUSION: This is the first Korean microbiome study in which the effect of different probiotic intake by the mother on the microbiota in HBM and IF samples was investigated. This study provides a cornerstone to further the understanding of the effect of probiotics on the mother and infant microbiomes.

Effect of a new Lactobacillus plantarum product, LRCC5310, on clinical symptoms and virus reduction in children with rotaviral enteritis.

BACKGROUND: Rotavirus is one of the most common causes of infantile enteritis. In common enterocolitis, probiotic organisms, including Lactobacilli, are effective in treating diarrhea. A new species, Lactobacillus plantarum (LRCC5310), which was shown to inhibit the adherence and proliferation of rotavirus in the small intestine through animal experiments, was investigated for the efficacy and safety of patients with rotaviral enteritis. METHODS: LRCC5310 (Group I) and control (Group II) groups consisting of children who were hospitalized for rotaviral enteritis were compared, and the medical records of patients (Group III) who were hospitalized for rotaviral enteritis during the same study period were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical symptoms were compared and stool samples were collected to compare changes in virus multiplication between Groups I and II. RESULTS: Groups I, II, and III comprised 15, 8, and 27 children, respectively. There were no differences in clinical information among the groups at admission. In Group I, a statistically significant improvement was noted in the number of patients with diarrhea, number of defecation events on Day 3, and total diarrhea period as opposed to Group II (P = .033, P = .003, and P = .012, respectively). The improvement of Vesikari score in Group I was greater than that in the other groups (P = .076, P = .061, and P = .036, respectively). Among rotavirus genotypes, 9 (22.5%) strains and 8 (20.0%) strains belonged to the G9P8 and G1P8 genotypes, respectively. The virus reduction effect, as confirmed via stool specimens, was also greater in Group I. No significant side effects were noted in infants. CONCLUSION: LRCC5310 improved clinical symptoms, including diarrhea and Vesikari score, and inhibited viral proliferation in rotaviral gastroenteritis.