Cited by 1,255Gut microbiota and healthInfant Nutrition and HealthProbiotics and Fermented Foods

Distinct patterns of neonatal gut microflora in infants in whom atopy was and was not developing

Kalliomäki, Marko, Kirjavainen, Pirkka, Eerola, Erkki, Kero, Pentti, Salminen, Seppo, Isolauri, Erika·2001·Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Abstract

Background Improved hygiene has altered early microbial exposure by reducing childhood infections, which has been suggested as a cause for the continuously rising prevalence of atopic diseases. On the basis of both intensity and timing of stimulus, it has been hypothesized that exposure to commensal microflora may represent another key protective modulator of immunity against atopy and subsequent atopic diseases. Objective We sought to investigate whether differences in early gut microflora precede the later development of atopic sensitization. Methods Intestinal microflora from 76 infants at high risk of atopic diseases were analyzed at 3 weeks and 3 months of age by using conventional bacterial cultivation and 2 culture-independent methods, gas-liquid chromatography of bacterial cellular fatty acids and quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization of bacterial cells. Infants evincing at least one positive skin prick reaction at 12 months were grouped as atopic subjects, and those without positive reactions were grouped as nonatopic subjects. Results Atopic sensitization was observed in 22 (29%) of 76 children. At 3 weeks, the bacterial cellular fatty acid profile in fecal samples differed significantly between infants in whom atopy was and was not developing (P =.005). By using fluorescence in situ hydridization, atopic subjects had more clostridia (geometric mean [95% confidence interval]: 9.3 x 10(7) [3.8-22.9 x 10(7)] vs 3.3 x 10(7) [1.8-6.1 x 10(7)], P =.04) and tended to have fewer bifidobacteria (1.8 x 10(9) [0.4-7.6 x 10(9)] vs 6.1 x 10(9) [2.5-14.6 x 10(9)], P =.11) in their stools than nonatopic subjects, resulting in a reduced ratio of bifidobacteria to clostridia (P =.03). The differences were not detected by bacterial cultivation. Conclusion Differences in the neonatal gut microflora precede the development of atopy, suggesting a crucial role of the balance of indigenous intestinal bacteria for the maturation of human immunity to a nonatopic mode.

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Crossref · 10.1067/mai.2001.111237

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  • Aberrancies in specific bifidobacterial microbiota, such as decreased numbers, or atypical species composition, have been identified in atopic disease, IBS, IBD, CRC, or celiac disease.

    “Given the attention traditionally paid to the genus Bifidobacterium, aberrancies in specific bifidobacterial microbiota, such as decreased numbers, or atypical species composition, have been identified in some of them (Figure 2); these include atopic disease [94,95] , IBS [96,97] , IBD [98][99][100][101] , CRC [102] , or celiac disease [103,104] .”

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Authors
Kalliomäki, M., Kirjavainen, P., Eerola, E., Kero, P., Salminen, S., & Isolauri, E.
Affiliations
University of Turku (FI)
Venue
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2001-01
Volume
107
Issue
1
Pages
129-134
ISSN
0091-6749 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2000452395
Cited by
1,255
References
35
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 22 · 2023: 34 · 2022: 40 · 2021: 39 · 2020: 56 · 2019: 44 · 2018: 53 · 2017: 41 · 2016: 46 · 2015: 69 · 2014: 56 · 2013: 64 · 2012: 76
FWCI
19.42
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Infant Nutrition and Health
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Probiotics and Fermented Foods
Keywords
atopic sensitization, atopic diseases, infants, Bifidobacterium, Clostridia, commensal microbiota, immune system maturation, hygiene hypothesis, skin prick test
MeSH terms
Humans, Hypersensitivity, Immediate, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Stomach, Prevalence, In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence

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