title: Investigation of the early intestinal microflora in premature infants with/without necrotizing enterocolitis using two different methods.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The pathophysiology of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is multifactorial, and gastrointestinal bacteria are thought to play an important role. In this study, the role of microflora in the gastrointestinal tract of neonates with NEC was assessed by comparing cases with controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 163 neonates, 21 developed NEC. The risk of NEC decreased by 8% with each additional day of gestational age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Typically, very few bacterial species could be cultured from the fecal specimens obtained. Gram-positive (G(+)) bacteria dominated the samples in the NEC group, whereas in the control group mixed flora of G(+) and Gram-negative (G(-)) bacteria were isolated. Surprisingly, molecular analysis using PCR-DGGE profiles did not confirm these differences. Our data suggest that G(+) bacteria in the intestine may play a role in the development of NEC in premature infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and sixty three neonates born at <30 weeks of gestation were enrolled. Fecal samples taken during the first month of life were subjected to culture and PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE). A total of 482 fecal samples were examined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiological Surveillance and Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Birgitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bodé
authors.forename: Thomas H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Skov
authors.forename: Hengameh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mirsepasi
authors.forename: Gorm
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Greisen
authors.forename: Karen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Krogfelt
mesh_terms: D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D025341:Principal Component Analysis