Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2000;83:F186-F192 ( November )

Importance of intestinal colonisation in the maturation of humoral immunity in early infancy: a prospective follow up study of healthy infants aged 0-6 months

M-M Grönlund^{a b}, H Arvilommi^c, P Kero^a, O-P Lehtonen^b, E Isolauri^a

^a Department of Paediatrics, Turku University Central Hospital, Turku, Finland, ^b Clinical Microbiology, Turku University Central Hospital, ^c National Public Health Institute, Turku, Finland

Correspondence to: Dr Grönlund, Department of Paediatrics, Turku University Central Hospital, Box 52, FI-20521 Turku, Finland minna-maija.gronlund{at}utu.fi

Accepted 12 May 2000

AIMTo evaluate the role of intestinal microflora and early formula feeding in the maturation of humoral immunity in healthy newborn infants.
STUDY DESIGNSixty four healthy infants were studied. Faecal colonisation with Bacteroides fragilis group, Bifidobacterium-like, and Lactobacillus-like bacteria was examined at 1, 2, and 6 months of age, and also the number of IgA-secreting, IgM-secreting, and IgG-secreting cells (detected by ELISPOT) at 0, 2, and 6 months of age.
RESULTSIntestinal colonisation with bacteria from the B fragilis group was more closely associated with maturation of IgA-secreting and IgM-secreting cells than colonisation with the other bacterial genera studied or diet. Infants colonised with B fragilis at 1 month of age had more IgA-secreting and IgM-secreting cells/10⁶ mononuclear cells at 2 months of age (geometric mean (95% confidence interval) 1393 (962 to 2018) and 754 (427 to 1332) respectively) than infants not colonised (1015 (826 to 1247) and 394 (304 to 511) respectively); p = 0.04 and p = 0.009 respectively.
CONCLUSIONSThe type of bacteria colonising the intestine of newborns and the timing may determine the immunomodulation of the naive immune system.


Keywords: intestinal colonisation; immune system; immunoglobulin secreting cell; ELISPOT; humoral immunity; delivery method

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© 2000 by Archives of Disease in Childhood
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