Combined PCR-DGGE fingerprinting and quantitative-PCR indicates shifts in fecal population sizes and diversity of Bacteroides, bifidobacteria and Clostridium cluster IV in institutionalized elderly.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed at determining ageing-related shifts in diversity and composition of key members of the fecal microbiota by comparing institutionalized elderly (n = 17, 78-94 years) and young volunteers (n = 17, 18-31 years).


RESULTS
A combination of molecular methods was used to characterize the diversity and relative abundance of total gastro-intestinal flora, along with relevant subsets within the genera Bacteroides, bifidobacteria and Clostridium cluster IV. The institutionalized elderly harbored significantly higher numbers of Bacteroides cells than control (28.5 +/- 8.6%; 21.4 +/- 7.7%; p = 0.016) but contained less bifidobacteria (1.3 +/- 0.9, 2.7 +/- 3.2%, p = 0.026) and Clostridium cluster IV (26.9 +/- 11.7%, 36.36 +/- 11.26%, p = 0.036). The elderly also displayed less total Bacteria diversity and less diversity with the Clostridium cluster IV (p < 0.016) and Bacteroides.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite high individual variations, our analyses indicate the composition of microbiota in the elderly comprises a less diverse subset of young healthy microbiota.


CONCLUSIONS
A better understanding of the individual composition of the human microbiota and the effects of ageing might result in the development of specifically targeted supplementation for elderly citizens in order to support healthy ageing.
Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Vienna, Austria.
Jutta
J
Zwielehner
Kathrin
K
Liszt
Michael
M
Handschur
Cornelia
C
Lassl
Alexander
A
Lapin
Alexander G
AG
Haslberger
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001439:Bacteroides / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003013:Clostridium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004586:Electrophoresis; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult