Open AccessDominant bacteria and influencing factors of early intestinal colonization in very low birth weight infants: A prospective cohort study
Author(s) -
Lu Yanbo,
Cai Xiaohong,
Zheng Yao,
Lyv Qin,
Wu Junhua
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
journal of clinical laboratory analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1098-2825
pISSN - 0887-8013
DOI - 10.1002/jcla.24290
Subject(s) - colonization , meconium , microbiology and biotechnology , serratia marcescens , antibiotics , bacteria , enterococcus faecalis , chorioamnionitis , biology , gram staining , medicine , escherichia coli , gestational age , pregnancy , fetus , staphylococcus aureus , biochemistry , gene , genetics
Background The intestine of newborns is colonized by bacteria immediately after birth. This study explored dominant bacteria and influencing factors of early intestinal colonization in the early life of very low birth weight infants (VLBWI). Methods We enrolled 81 VLBWI and collected anal swabs at 24 h, 7th, 14th and 21st day after birth. We conducted bacterial culture for anal swabs, then selected the colony with obvious growth advantages in the plate for further culture and identification. Afterward, we analyzed the distribution and influencing factors of intestinal dominant microbiota combined with clinical data. Results A total of 300 specimens were collected, of which 62.67% (188/300) had obvious dominant bacteria, including 29.26% (55/188) Gram‐positive bacteria and 70.74% (133/188) Gram‐negative bacteria. The top five bacteria with the highest detection rates were Klebsiella pneumoniae , Escherichia coli , Enterococcus faecium , Enterococcus faecalis and Serratia marcescens . Meconium‐stained amniotic fluid and chorioamnionitis were correlated with intestinal bacterial colonization within 24 h of birth. Mechanical ventilation and antibiotics were independent risk factors affecting colonization. Nosocomial infection of K . pneumoniae and S . marcescens were associated with intestinal colonization. The colonization rates of K . pneumoniae , E. coli , E . faecium , and E . faecalis increased with the birth time. Conclusions The colonization rate in the early life of VLBWI increased over time and the predominant bacteria were Gram‐negative bacteria. Meconium‐stained amniotic fluid and chorioamnionitis affect intestinal colonization in early life. Mechanical ventilation and antibiotics were independent risk factors for intestinal bacterial colonization. The nosocomial infection of some bacteria was significantly related to intestinal colonization.