HEALTHY BACTERIA IN THE INFANT’S INTESTINES

Bacteria: The most abundant species

• Prokaryotes- Single celled

• They can be categorized on the basis of shape into such groups as cocci (spheres), bacilli (rods), and spirilla and spirochetes (spirals). 

• Most can survive adverse conditions, these types of microorganisms effects humans. 1) Mesophiles- living in temperatures 37- 45 degrees Celsius 2) Acidophiles- living in acidotic conditions, where the acid is required for the membrane and cytoplasm. 3) Osmophiles- living in high concentrations of sugar

• Bacteria are involved in the spoilage of meat, wine, vegetables, and milk and other dairy products.

• In each environment where they are found, bacteria contribute to various biological processes. Human Microbes 1) Mutualistic Relationship (Good Bacteria) 2) Commensalism Relationship 3) Parasitic (Bad Bacteria)

Bad bacteria are bad because when they grow, they produce all sorts of toxins that are harmful to our bodies.

Infant Bacteria infection in the intestines

Necrotizing enterocolitis- (NEC)

• The most common and serious intestinal disease • Happens when the tissues in the small or large intestine is injured or begins to die off, then develops a hole

so bacteria pass through the intestine and enter the baby’s bloodstream.• Could lead to life-threatening infections.

Causes: -formula feeding (in full-term infants) - an underdeveloped intestines, injured intestine (in preterm infants) - heavy growth of bacteria in the intestines that erodes the intestinal line

determine if there are differences in microbial patterns that may be critical to the development of this disease

Methods: • Fecal samples from 20 infants, 10 with

NEC and 10 matched controls were obtained from patients in a single site level III neonatal intensive care unit.

• Bacterial DNA from individual fecal samples was PCR amplified

Research on NEC and Control infants

Research on NEC and Control infants

Research on NEC and control infants

MICROBIAL HUMAN INTERACTIONS

Microorganisms to Body Sites

The oropharynx • Veillonella• Candida• Prevotta

The gastrointestinal tract• Lactobacillus• E.coli• Bacteroides

The Genitourinary tract• Clostridium

MICROBIAL HUMAN INTERACTIONS

➔ Oropharynxneutral pH, moderate temperature, aerobic/or obligate anaerobic

➔ Gastrointestinal tractacidic pH (2-3), 10 viable bacteria

➔ Vagina and CervixpH 4.6, lactic acid, anerobic, varies with menstrual cycle

Intestinal Microflora for Infants

-microbial diversity is an important factor in determining the stability of the ecosystem“barrier effect” - inhibit colonization of the intestine by pathogenic microorganism. Functions: food digestion, drug absorption, immune respones

Breast-feeding promotes an intestine microbiota in which Bifidobacteria predominateFormula bottle-fed baby, enterococci and bacteriodes predominated• Vaginal delivery and breast-feed have a rather rich in Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria• Caesarean section, have a high component of Clostridia and high post of Gram-negative

enterobacteria.

INNATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

Relative Age Innate factors Environmental factors

Microbial Diversity Microbial Stability

Birth Genetics Multiple caregivers, breast milk/ formula, immunizations

0 0

Infant Developing immunity

Solid foods, crawling, mouth contact, first infections first antibiotics

+ +

Child Body growth Changing diet, socialization/ contact with peers, play

++ ++

Breastfeeding Helps deliver healthy gut bacteria

Mother’s that are well nourished will provide their infants with healthy gut bacteria, which is the nutrition required to fight illnesses. These types of infant mortalities are highly controlled, when mothers’ provide their infant with an essential piece for survival.

ConsPros

The fetus is developed within the sterile uterus, therefore, the acquisition of human microbes begin at birth. The newborn is initially colonized by microbes from its immediate environment.

The mother breastfeeds to help the newborn survive by giving it essential microbes. These microbes have a mutualistic relationship with us and its role is to keep harmful microorganism from invasion.

The Opportunistic pathogens if they were removed from their locate in the body and introduced into different location, then its a possible it could cause diseases.

In the first couple of weeks most babies don't eat much but they eat often. But as they get closer to a month old, they go about 2 - 3 hrs on 3 - 4 oz

Stomach capacity to Microflora

(Lactobacillus, Streptococcus)

• about 10^3 unit /ml

• The first microbes to colonize

Newborns: 2X 10^4= 20,000 cells

ADULTS Microflora number: trillions of microbial cells

One month

two month

● One month old babies have the stomach capacity of 90 ml● Two month old babies have the stomach capacity of 150 ml

Protein Complex in Breast Milk (25g/1oz)

Oligosaccharide ● is a carbohydrate polymer● 3-10 simple sugars (lactose, glucose, etc)● prevent attachment of streptococcus pneumoniae● 12 grams of Oligosaccharides per 25 grams ● 0.48oz of Oligosaccharides per ounce

Lactoferrin ● main protein● antimicrobial agent- killing bacteria and viruses.● 0.5 grams of lactoferrin per 25 grams● 0.02 oz of lactoferrin per ounce

Protein Complex in Breast Milk (25g/1oz)

Other components

The mother’s blood has antibodies IgG,IgA, IgM produced during lactation

● IgA is contained in Colostrum● Colostrum is a milky fluid, the first form of milk that is secreted from the mammary glands after birth● Protein content is markedly higher and carbohydrate content lower in colostrum than in mature milk.

Protein Complex in Breast Milk (25g/1oz)

Casein-a large protein that is responsible for the white color of milk

● microbes that do not produce the exoenzyme casesase, can not break down those sugars in breast milk● Pnemococci does not produce casesase

COMPONENTS OF BREAST MILK

Oligosaccharides

Lactoferrin

25 grams/oz

Nutrition Components

5% fat 8% protein7.2% carbohydrate3% minerals & Vitamins

other 26.8% BREASTMILK-Growth factors-Hormones-Enzymes -Antibodies

IgA48%

2%.1%

REFERENCES

Story L., Parish, T. Breastfeeding helps prevent two major infant illness. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. July 2008, Volume 6:3.

Willey, J.M Sherwood, L, Woolverton, C.J. & Prescott, L.M (2008) Microbiology: Ninth edition. New York. McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Flint, J Harry, 2009, Federation of European Microbiological Societies published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd.