Safety of novel Bifidobacterium strains demonstrated in a human infant surrogate, the neonatal pig

Studies were conducted to determine the impact of two novel probiotic strains, B. breve AH1205 & B. longum AH1206, on the health, growth & development of neonatal pigs as a surrogate for human infants. Day old pigs were fed a milk‐based formula containing AH1205 or AH1206 at 0, 109, or 1011 CFU/d (n=10). Additional groups included 20 pigs sampled at baseline (d 0) & 20 sow‐reared pigs. Growth rates, organ weights & histology, body temperatures & hematological profiles were not different (P > 0.1). Bacterial translocation was not affected by probiotic treatment as indicated by a lack of difference in total anaerobic and aerobic CFU of spleen, liver & mesenteric lymph node swabs (P > 0.1). Feeding 109 CFU/d of AH1205 increased feed intake by 5% over controls, while 1011 CFU/d of AH1206 reduced intake by 2% (P < 0.05). AH1205 had no measurable effect on fecal and cecal bacterial populations; whereas, bifidobacteria CFU/g increased (P < 0.05) with increasing AH1206. While serum IgM and IgG at 18 d did not vary in response to probiotic treatment, concentrations were higher (>100%) at d 0 (P < 0.05). We conclude that diet supplementation of probiotic strains B. breve AH1205 & B. longum AH1206 is safe for human infants based on a lack of growth, development and health‐related effects on the surrogate animal model, neonatal pigs. Research supported by Mead Johnson Nutrition. Grant Funding Source : Mead Johnson Nutritionals