Determinants of the human infant intestinal microbiota after the introduction of first complementary foods in infant samples from five European centres.

Although it is well established that early infant feeding has a major influence on the establishment of the gut microbiota, very little is understood about how the introduction of first solid food influences the colonization process. This study aimed to determine the impact of weaning on the faecal microbiota composition of infants from five European countries (Sweden, Scotland, Germany, Italy and Spain) which have different lifestyle characteristics and infant feeding practices. Faecal samples were collected from 605 infants approximately 4 weeks after the introduction of first solid foods and the results were compared with the same infants before weaning (6 weeks of age) to investigate the association with determining factors such as geographical origin, mode of delivery, previous feeding method and age of weaning.

Intestinal microbiota of 6-week-old infants across Europe: geographic influence beyond delivery mode, breast-feeding, and antibiotics.

Objectives: : There are many differences in diet and lifestyle across Europe that may influence the development of the infant gut microbiota. This work aimed to assess the impact of geographic area, mode of delivery, feeding method, and antibiotic treatment on the fecal microbiota of infants from 5 European countries with different lifestyle characteristics: Sweden, Scotland, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

Patients And Methods: : Fecal samples from 606 infants (age 6 weeks) recruited within the European project INFABIO were analyzed by fluorescent in situ hybridization combined with flow cytometry using a panel of 10 rRNA targeted group- and species-specific oligonucleotide probes.

Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens species detected in infant faecal microbiota using 16S rRNA targeted probes.

Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium difficile are pathogenic clostridia potentially associated with gastrointestinal infections and allergy in infants. To enable the molecular detection and quantification of these species in the infant gut, two 16S rRNA oligonucleotide probes were developed: Cdif198 for C. difficile and Cperf191 for C.