Abstract
The intestinal overgrowth of Clostridium difficile, often after disturbance of the gut microbiota by antibiotic treatment, leads to C. difficile infection (CDI) which manifestation ranges from mild diarrhea to life-threatening conditions. The increasing CDI incidence, not only in compromised subjects but also in traditionally considered low-risk populations, together with the frequent relapses of the disease, has attracted the interest for prevention/therapeutic options. Among these, probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics constitute a promising approach. In this study we determined the potential of selected Bifidobacterium strains for the inhibition of C. difficile growth and toxicity in different carbon sources. We conducted co-cultures of the toxigenic strain C. difficile LMG21717 with four Bifidobacterium strains (Bifidobacterium longum IPLA20022, Bifidobacterium breve IPLA20006, Bifidobacterium bifidum IPLA20015, and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bb12) in the presence of various prebiotic substrates (Inulin, Synergy, and Actilight) or glucose, and compared the results with those obtained for the corresponding mono-cultures. C. difficile and bifidobacteria levels were quantified by qPCR; the pH and the production of short chain fatty acids was also determined. Moreover, supernatants of the cultures were collected to evaluate their toxicity using a recently developed model. Results showed that co-culture with B. longum IPLA20022 and B. breve IPLA20006 in the presence of short-chain fructooligosaccharides, but not of Inulin, as carbon source significantly reduced the growth of the pathogen. With the sole exception of B. animalis Bb12, whose growth was enhanced, the presence of C. difficile did not show major effects upon the growth of the bifidobacteria. In accordance with the growth data, B. longum and B. breve were the strains showing higher reduction in the toxicity of the co-culture supernatants.
Highlights
Clostridium difficile is often present in the intestinal microbiota of both infants and adults, where it may be found in about 70 and 17% of the subjects, respectively (Ozaki et al, 2004; Jangi and Lamont, 2010)
The influence of prebiotic substrates upon C. difficile growth and toxicity when co-cultured with bifidobacteria remains largely unknown. In this context the aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the potential of four bifidobacterial strains for inhibiting the growth of C. difficile when co-cultured with different prebiotics as carbon source
Inhibition of C. difficile Growth When Co-cultured with Bifidobacterium Strains in Different Carbon Sources
Summary
Clostridium difficile is often present in the intestinal microbiota of both infants and adults, where it may be found in about 70 and 17% of the subjects, respectively (Ozaki et al, 2004; Jangi and Lamont, 2010) This microorganism is the main causative agent of antibiotic associated diarrhea in nosocomial environments (Leffler and Lamont, 2015). Reducing the intestinal levels of specific pathogens, such as C. difficile, has been considered by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) as a beneficial physiological effect [(EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA), 2011)]. Such an effect would constitute an opportunity for the development of food products bearing a health claim in the area of gastrointestinal health
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
