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The preterm gut microbiota: changes associated with necrotizing enterocolitis and infection

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Christopher StewartORCiD, Dr Clare Lanyon, Dr John Perry, Professor Nicholas EmbletonORCiD, Professor Janet Berrington

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Abstract

Aim: To describe gut colonization in preterm infants using standard culture and 16S gene rRNA profiling, exploring differences in healthy infants and those who developed NEC/late onset sepsis (LOS). Methods: Ninety-nine stools from 38 infants of median 27-week gestation were cultured; 44 stools from 27 infants had their microbial profiles determined by 16S. Ordination analyses explored effects of patient variables on gut communities. Results: Standard microbiological culture identified a mean of two organisms (range 07), DGGE 12 (range 318) per patient. Enterococcus faecalis and coagulase negative staphylococci (CONS) were most common by culture (40% and 39% of specimens). Meconium was not sterile. No fungi were cultured. Bacterial community structures in infants with NEC and LOS differed from healthy infants. Infants who developed NEC carried more CONS (45% vs 30%) and less Enterococcus faecalis (31% vs 57%). 16S identified Enterobacter and Staphylococcus presence associated with NEC/LOS, respectively. Conclusions: Important differences were found in the gut microbiota of preterm infants who develop NEC/LOS. The relationship of these changes to current practices in neonatal intensive care requires further exploration.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Stewart CJ, Marrs ECL, Magorrian S, Nelson A, Lanyon C, Perry JD, Embleton ND, Cummings SP, Berrington JE

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Acta Paediatrica

Year: 2012

Volume: 101

Issue: 11

Pages: 1121-1127

Print publication date: 31/08/2012

ISSN (print): 0803-5253

ISSN (electronic): 1651-2227

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1651-2227.2012.02801.x

DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2012.02801.x


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