Effects of feeding an infant formula containing Lactobacillus GG on the colonization of the intestine: a dose-response study in healthy infants.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to determine whether feeding Lactobacillus GG (LGG) at varying levels (10 to 10 cfu/day) would result in colonization, defined as > or =1,000 cfu of LGG per gram of stool in 3 of 5 samples collected during the feeding period.


METHODS
Infants received unsupplemented formula during a 7-day baseline, 1 of 4 formulas containing 0 (control), 10 (low), 10 (medium), or 10 (high) cfu of LGG per day during a 2-week test, and unsupplemented formula during a 2-week follow-up. Baseline, test, and follow-up stool samples were evaluated for levels of viable LGG.


RESULTS
During test, supplemented infants were colonized, compared with control (P < 0.05). Median stool counts of LGG (log10 cfu/g) in colonized infants were 5.24 (low), 6.05 (medium), and 5.97 (high). LGG persisted in the stools for 7 to 14 days after discontinuing LGG. No differences were observed among groups in stool consistency, flatulence, fussiness, or adverse events.


CONCLUSIONS
A 2-week oral administration of 10 to 10 cfu/day LGG was well tolerated; all levels successfully colonized the intestinal tract of healthy, term infants.
Petschow
Bryon W
BW
Mead Johnson Nutritionals, Evansville, IN 47721, USA. bryon.petschow@bms.com
Figueroa
Reinaldo
R
Harris
Cheryl L
CL
Beck
Laura B
LB
Ziegler
Eckhard
E
Goldin
Barry
B
D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values