Summary: A large-scale study of UK newborns reveals three distinct gut microbiome profiles, with one potentially useful for developing personalized probiotic therapies.
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Researchers have identified a natural probiotic in the gut microbiomes of newborn babies that could pave the way for more effective and personalized treatments. This discovery, part of the largest study of UK baby microbiomes to date, sheds new light on the crucial early development of infant gut bacteria and its potential impact on long-term health.
The study, published in Nature Microbiology, analyzed stool samples from 1,288 healthy infants under one month old. Using advanced whole genome sequencing techniques, researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, University College London (UCL), and the University of Birmingham uncovered three distinct microbiome profiles in newborns, each dominated by a different pioneer bacterium.
Why it matters: The first month of life represents a critical window for microbiome development, with potential long-term consequences for health. Understanding which bacteria colonize the gut early on could lead to more targeted interventions and probiotic treatments tailored to an infant’s specific needs.
Unveiling the Pioneers of the Infant Gut
The research team identified three main types of bacteria that tend to dominate newborns’ gut microbiomes:
- Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum (B. longum)
- Bifidobacterium breve (B. breve)
- Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis)
Of these, B. longum and B. breve are considered beneficial, while E. faecalis is potentially risky. Dr. Yan Shao, first author from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, explained the significance of this finding:
“If we think of a newborn baby’s gut as an ecosystem that starts to establish right from birth, there was very little known about which and how microbes plant the very first seeds to establish themselves before the findings of the UK Baby Biome Study. By analysing the high-resolution genomic information from over 1,200 babies, we have identified three pioneer bacteria that drive the development of the gut microbiota, allowing us to group them into infant microbiome profiles.”
A Natural Probiotic Powerhouse
The study revealed that B. breve, in particular, shows promise as a natural probiotic. This bacterium appears to be genetically adapted to fully utilize the nutrients found in breast milk. Moreover, it demonstrated an ability to block potentially harmful pathogens from colonizing the infants’ guts.
Interestingly, while B. longum was found to be transmitted from the mother’s gut during childbirth, the exact source of B. breve remains unclear. The researchers suggest it may come from another area of the mother, such as the skin microbiome.
Implications for Infant Health and Probiotic Development
The findings of this study have several important implications:
- Personalized probiotics: In the future, it may be possible to map a baby’s gut microbiome profile shortly after birth and provide personalized probiotics if needed.
- Rethinking commercial probiotics: Many current infant probiotics contain Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis (B. infantis), which was found to be rare in UK infants. This suggests that B. breve could be a more effective natural probiotic for babies in Western industrialized countries.
- Understanding antibiotic impact: The study found that antibiotic use increased the likelihood of E. faecalis colonization, which could interfere with healthy microbiome development.
Dr. Trevor Lawley, senior author from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, highlighted the potential applications of this research:
“The development of the microbiome at the beginning of a person’s life could have huge implications for them later on. It is also a time when the use of infant probiotics could be highly effective, if we know what bacteria are both important and relevant to the target populations. Our study highlights a hugely beneficial pioneer bacterium that can fully digest breast milk and protect the newborn against harmful microbes. This has the potential to be a highly effective natural probiotic as it can already establish itself in the child’s gut.”
Factors Influencing Microbiome Development
The researchers noted several factors that may influence which pioneer bacteria colonize an infant’s gut:
- Breastfeeding vs. formula feeding: Surprisingly, this did not seem to significantly impact the type of pioneer bacteria present.
- Antibiotic use: This increased the likelihood of E. faecalis colonization.
- Maternal factors: The researchers suggest that maternal age and the number of times a woman has given birth may play a role, though further research is needed to confirm this.
Looking Ahead: The Need for Further Research
While this study provides valuable insights into early microbiome development, the researchers emphasize the need for continued investigation. Professor Nigel Field from UCL stated:
“While our study has shortlisted three pioneer bacteria as important for babies’ microbiome development, it remains to be determined if and how different pioneer bacteria affect health and diseases, both in childhood and later in life. The UK Baby Biome Study is actively following up participants to give clues about this, and now even bigger cohorts are needed to investigate the role of the infant microbiome on health.”
One such initiative is the Microbes, Milk, Mental Health and Me (4M) project, part of the Children Growing Up in Liverpool study. This extensive research aims to explore how factors such as the infant gut microbiome and early life feeding affect brain development, behavior, emotions, and mental health later in life.
As our understanding of the infant microbiome grows, so too does the potential for developing targeted interventions that could set the stage for lifelong health. The discovery of these pioneer bacteria represents an important step toward that goal, offering hope for more effective and personalized approaches to supporting infant health from the earliest stages of life.
Quiz:
- Which of the following bacteria was NOT identified as a pioneer bacterium in newborns’ gut microbiomes? a) Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum b) Bifidobacterium breve c) Enterococcus faecalis d) Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis
- According to the study, which factor seemed to have the most significant impact on which pioneer bacteria colonized an infant’s gut? a) Breastfeeding vs. formula feeding b) Antibiotic use c) Maternal age d) Number of times the mother has given birth
- What potential advantage does Bifidobacterium breve have as a probiotic for infants? a) It is easily transmitted from the mother’s gut during childbirth b) It is genetically adapted to utilize nutrients in breast milk c) It is commonly found in commercial infant probiotics d) It is resistant to antibiotics
Answer Key:
- d) Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis
- b) Antibiotic use
- b) It is genetically adapted to utilize nutrients in breast milk
