title: Selective method for identification and quantification of Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies lactis BB-12 (BB-12) from the gastrointestinal tract of healthy volunteers ingesting a combination probiotic of BB-12 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop a novel validated method for the isolation of Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis BB-12 (BB-12) from faecal specimens and apply it to studies of BB-12 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) recovered from the healthy human gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A novel method for isolating and enumerating BB-12 was developed based on its morphologic features of growth on tetracycline-containing agar. The method identified BB-12 correctly from spiked stool close to 100% of the time as validated by PCR confirmation of identity, and resulted in 97-104% recovery of BB-12. The method was then applied in a study of the recovery of BB-12 and LGG from the GI tract of healthy humans consuming ProNutrients®Probiotic powder sachet containing BB-12 and LGG. Viable BB-12 and LGG were recovered from stool after 21 days of probiotic ingestion compared to baseline. In contrast, no organisms were recovered 21 days after baseline in the nonsupplemented control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We demonstrated recovery of viable BB-12, using a validated novel method specific for the isolation of BB-12, and LGG from the GI tract of healthy humans who consumed the probiotic supplement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This method will enable more detailed and specific studies of BB-12 in probiotic supplements, including when in combination with LGG.
authors.affiliation: Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: D D
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7867-393X
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Poutsiaka
authors.affiliation: Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: I J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Mahoney
authors.affiliation: Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: McDermott
authors.affiliation: Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, Madison, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Stern
authors.affiliation: Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Thorpe
authors.affiliation: Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Kane
authors.affiliation: Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baez-Giangreco
authors.affiliation: Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, Madison, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McKinney
authors.affiliation: Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.affiliation: Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, Madison, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Leyva
authors.affiliation: Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Goldin
authors.affiliation: Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Snydman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000069982:Bifidobacterium animalis / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology*; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D052201:Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013752:Tetracycline; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D013752:Tetracycline
keywords: Lactobacillus; enumeration; intestinal microbiology; isolation; probiotics