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Early gut colonization by Bifidobacterium breve and B. catenulatum differentially modulates eczema risk in children at high risk of developing allergic disease
Author(s) -
Ismail Intan H.,
Boyle Robert J.,
Licciardi Paul V.,
Oppedisano Frances,
Lahtinen Sampo,
RobinsBrowne Roy M.,
Tang Mimi L.K.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
pediatric allergy and immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.269
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1399-3038
pISSN - 0905-6157
DOI - 10.1111/pai.12646
Subject(s) - bifidobacterium breve , medicine , bifidobacterium , disease , risk factor , lower risk , colonization , sensitization , immunology , allergy , atopic dermatitis , gastroenterology , confidence interval , lactobacillus , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , genetics
Background An altered compositional signature and reduced diversity of early gut microbiota are linked to development of allergic disease. We investigated the relationship between dominant Bifidobacterium species during the early post‐natal period and subsequent development of allergic disease in the first year of life. Methods Faecal samples were collected at age 1 week, 1 month and 3 months from 117 infants at high risk of allergic disease. Bifidobacterium species were analysed by quantitative PCR and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism. Infants were examined at 3, 6 and 12 months, and skin prick test was performed at 12 months. Eczema was diagnosed according to the UK Working Party criteria. Results The presence of B. catenulatum at 3 months was associated with a higher risk of developing eczema ( OR adj = 4.5; 95% CI : 1.56–13.05, p adj = 0.005). Infants colonized with B. breve at 1 week ( OR adj = 0.29; 95% CI : 0.09–0.95, p adj = 0.04) and 3 months ( OR adj = 0.15; 95% CI : 0.05–0.44, p adj = 0.00001) had a reduced risk of developing eczema. Furthermore, the presence of B. breve at 3 months was associated with a lower risk of atopic sensitization at 12 months ( OR adj = 0.38; 95% CI : 0.15–0.98, p adj = 0.05). B. breve colonization patterns were influenced by maternal allergic status, household pets and number of siblings. Conclusions Temporal variations in Bifidobacterium colonization patterns early in life are associated with later development of eczema and/or atopic sensitization in infants at high risk of allergic disease. Modulation of the early microbiota may provide a means to prevent eczema in high‐risk infants.