Breast milk: A source of bifidobacteria for infant gut development and maturation?

Background: The establishment of gut microbiota is a stepwise process contributing to gut development and maturation of the immune system. Aberrant gut microbiota at an early age may predispose to disease later in life. Breast-fed infants harbor a characteristic intestinal microbiota dominated by bifidobacteria. Objectives: To assess, using molecular techniques ( PCR), whether human milk contains bifidobacteria and to determine the bifidobacterial species present. Methods: The presence of bifidobacteria in breast milk samples ( n = 20) was qualitatively and quantitatively determined by using PCR and real- time PCR, respectively. Results: Breast milk samples contained bifidobacteria. Bifidobacterium longum was the most widely found species followed by Bifidobacterium animalis, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bifidobacterium catenulatum. Conclusion: Breast milk contains bifidobacteria and specific Bifidobacterium species that may promote healthy microbiota development. Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.