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Gastrointestinal infection
Bifidobacterium strains from resident infant human gastrointestinal microflora exert antimicrobial activity
  1. V Liévina,
  2. I Peiffera,
  3. S Hudaulta,
  4. F Rochatb,
  5. D Brassartb,
  6. J-R Neeserb,
  7. A L Servina
  1. aInstitut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unité 510, UFR de Pharmacie, Université Paris XI, 92296 Châtenay-Malabry, France, bNestlé Research Centre, Vers-chez-les-blanc, BP 44, CH-1000 Lausanne 26, Switzerland
  1. A L Servin, Faculté de Pharmacie Paris XI, INSERM Unité 510, F-92296 Châtenay-Malabry, France. alain.servin{at}cep.u-psud.fr

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The gastrointestinal microflora exerts a barrier effect against enteropathogens. The aim of this study was to examine if bifidobacteria, a major species of the human colonic microflora, participates in the barrier effect by developing antimicrobial activity against enterovirulent bacteria.

METHODS Antibacterial activity was examined in vitro against a wide range of Gram negative and Gram positive pathogens. Inhibition ofSalmonella typhimurium SL1334 cell association and cell invasion was investigated in vitro using Caco-2 cells. Colonisation of the gastrointestinal tract in vivo by bifidobacteria was examined in axenic C3/He/Oujco mice. Antimicrobial activity was examined in vivo in axenic C3/He/Oujco mice infected by the lethal S typhimurium C5 strain.

RESULTS Fourteen human bifidobacterium strains isolated from infant stools were examined for antimicrobial activity. Two strains (CA1 and F9) expressed antagonistic activity against pathogens in vitro, inhibited cell entry, and killed intracellular S typhimurium SL1344 in Caco-2 cells. An antibacterial component(s) produced by CA1 and F9 was found to be a lipophilic molecule(s) with a molecular weight of less than 3500. In the axenic C3/He/Oujco mice, CA1 and F9 strains colonised the intestinal tract and protected mice against S typhimurium C5 lethal infection.

CONCLUSION Several bifidobacterium strains from resident infant human gastrointestinal microflora exert antimicrobial activity, suggesting that they could participate in the “barrier effect” produced by the indigenous microflora.

  • bifidobacteria
  • infant microflora
  • gastrointestinal infection
  • antimicrobial
  • microbial infection
  • intestinal cells

  • Abbreviations used in this paper

    SCS
    spent culture supernatant
    PBS
    phosphate buffered saline
    cfu
    colony forming units
    MRS broth
    De Man, Rogosa, Sharpe broth
    TSA
    triptic soy agar

    • https://doi.org/10.1136/gut.47.5.646

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    • Abbreviations used in this paper

      SCS
      spent culture supernatant
      PBS
      phosphate buffered saline
      cfu
      colony forming units
      MRS broth
      De Man, Rogosa, Sharpe broth
      TSA
      triptic soy agar
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