Importance of intestinal colonisation in the maturation of humoral immunity in early infancy: a prospective follow up study of healthy infants aged 0–6 months. Issue 3 (1st November 2000)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grönlund, M-M; Arvilommi, H; Kero, P; Lehtonen, O-P; Isolauri, E
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 83:Issue 3(2000)
• Page Start: F186
• Page End: F192
• Publication Date: 2000-11-01
• Subjects: intestinal colonisation -- immune system -- immunoglobulin secreting cell -- ELISPOT -- humoral immunity -- delivery method; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Newborn infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Fetus -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920105
• DOI: 10.1136/fn.83.3.F186
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-2998

Abstract

Abstract : AIM: To evaluate the role of intestinal microflora and early formula feeding in the maturation of humoral immunity in healthy newborn infants. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty four healthy infants were studied. Faecal colonisation with Bacteroides fragilis group, Bifidobacterium -like, and Lactobacillus -like bacteria was examined at 1, 2, and 6 months of age, and also the number of IgA-secreting, IgM-secreting, and IgG-secreting cells (detected by ELISPOT) at 0, 2, and 6 months of age. RESULTS: Intestinal colonisation with bacteria from the B fragilis group was more closely associated with maturation of IgA-secreting and IgM-secreting cells than colonisation with the other bacterial genera studied or diet. Infants colonised with B fragilis at 1 month of age had more IgA-secreting and IgM-secreting cells/10 6 mononuclear cells at 2 months of age (geometric mean (95% confidence interval) 1393 (962 to 2018) and 754 (427 to 1332) respectively) than infants not colonised (1015 (826 to 1247) and 394 (304 to 511) respectively); p = 0.04 and p = 0.009 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The type of bacteria colonising the intestine of newborns and the timing may determine the immunomodulation of the naive immune system.