Isolation and Characterization of Commensal Bifidobacteria Strains in Gut Microbiota of Neonates Born Preterm: A Prospective Longitudinal Study.

Bifidobacterial population dynamics were investigated using a longitudinal analysis of dominant species isolated from feces of neonates born preterm (singletons ( = 10), pairs of twins ( = 11)) from birth up to 16 months of age. We performed quantification, isolation, and identification of the dominant bifidobacteria strains. The genetic relationship of the isolates was investigated via pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) genotyping, and PCR was used to screen the specific genetic marker genes.

Bifidobacterium longum and Bifidobacterium breve isolates from preterm and full term neonates: comparison of cell surface properties.

We compared autoaggregation, surface hydrophobicity and Caco-2 cells adhesion capabilities of independent Bifidobacterium breve (n = 22) and Bifidobacterium longum (n = 25) strains isolated from preterm (n = 20) and full term neonates (n = 27). Concerning strains properties, a correlation between autoaggregation and surface hydrophobicity was found for B. longum (r = 0.