Human Milk Oligosaccharides and Lactose Differentially Affect Infant Gut Microbiota and Intestinal Barrier In Vitro.

Background: The infant gut microbiota establishes during a critical window of opportunity when metabolic and immune functions are highly susceptible to environmental changes, such as diet. Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) for instance are suggested to be beneficial for infant health and gut microbiota. Infant formulas supplemented with the HMOs 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) and lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) reduce infant morbidity and medication use and promote beneficial bacteria in the infant gut ecosystem.

Enterobacteriaceae are essential for the modulation of colitis severity by fungi.

Background: Host-microbe balance maintains intestinal homeostasis and strongly influences inflammatory conditions such as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Here we focused on bacteria-fungi interactions and their implications on intestinal inflammation, a poorly understood area.

Methods: Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis was assessed in mice treated with vancomycin (targeting gram-positive bacteria) or colistin (targeting Enterobacteriaceae) and supplemented with either Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 or Candida albicans.