Preterm infants gut microbiome and NEC
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is still among the leading causes of neonatal and postnatal death. The present study reports the data of a prospective multicentric study. A total of 146 preterm neonates (PN) with or without NEC were enrolled. Fecal sample were analyzed using the bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Specific culture media were used for Escherichia coli, Clostridium butyricum and Clostridium neonatale strains isolation and further phenotypic characteri-zation. PN gut microbiota was dominated by Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. Significantly higher proportions of Clostridium cluster XI, Staphylococcus, Ruminococcus, and Corynebacterium characterized C-section born PN. Antifungal treatment, lower birth weight, or gestational age, were associated with significant differences in gut microbial composition. The relative abundance of the Lactobacillus genus was significantly lower and that of Clostridium cluster III higher in NEC cases. Our data support the concept of a mild dysbiotic gut status at the onset of NEC.