title: Probiotics and gut health in infants: A preliminary case-control observational study about early treatment with Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We performed this case-control observational study to evaluate the effects of early administration of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 on microbial composition in infants' gastrointestinal tract.
  
  
  METHODS
  Early fecal microbiota composition was analyzed by using selective and differential cultural methods. Genomic DNA from positive Escherichia coli and Cronobacter sakazakii colonies was extracted and DNA was processed by multiplex PCR assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fecal samples of 30 hospitalized infants who previously received probiotics and 30 not receiving probiotics were analyzed. We find that the two groups showed differences in gut microbial strains composition and richness. Infant treated with probiotics have a lower total anaerobic gram negative counts (p=0.03) and a higher total anaerobic gram-positive counts (p=0.02). Enterobacteriaceae and enterococci were significantly higher (p=0.04) in the control group. No significant differences were observed for total aerobic counts, lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. C. sakazaki was found only in one infant recruited in the control group. Infants not previously treated with probiotics showed a higher colonization by diarrheagenic E. coli (EPEC) (p=0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings enhanced our understanding of the effects of probiotics on gut health in pediatric subjects. Early administration of L. reuteri in infancy could improve gut health by reducing pathogens colonization.
authors.affiliation: Città della Salute e della Scienza della Città di Torino, Department of Pediatrics, Regina Margherita Children Hospital, University of Turin, Italy. Electronic address: francesco.savino@unito.it.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Savino
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fornasero
authors.affiliation: Città della Salute e della Scienza della Città di Torino, Department of Pediatrics, Regina Margherita Children Hospital, University of Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ceratto
authors.affiliation: Città della Salute e della Scienza della Città di Torino, Department of Pediatrics, Regina Margherita Children Hospital, University of Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Marco
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Narcisa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mandras
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Janira
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roana
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Vivian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tullio
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Amisano
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D044083:Cronobacter sakazakii / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome / Q000235:genetics; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D052200:Limosilactobacillus reuteri / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial
keywords: Formula fed; Gut microbiota; Infants; Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938; Microbial pathogens; Probiotic