Effect of oral application of a probiotic E. coli strain on the intestinal microflora of children of allergic mothers during the first year of life

Abstract

Influence of intestinal colonization by a probiotic E. coli strain on the incidence of bacterial pathogens in stool and allergic symptoms during the 1st year of life was monitored in 3 groups: colonized children of allergic mothers (AC; n = 52), noncolonized children of allergic mothers (AN; n = 50), children of nonallergic mothers (NC; n = 42). Colinfant vaccine was administered within 2 d after birth, 3 x a week over a period of 4 weeks. Stool samples were examined after 2 d and at the age of 3, 6 and 12 months. At 3 months E. coli was present in 90 %, at 12 months in 73 % of AC. Pathogens were significantly less frequent on day 3 and at 3 months in AC vs. AN (15 vs. 61 %, p < 0.001; 15 vs. 38 %, p < 0.01) and vs. NC (15 vs. 63 %, p < 0.001; 15 vs. 53 %, p < 0.001). AC exhibited lower incidence of Staphylococcus epidermidis than AN on day 3 (6 vs. 31 %, p < 0.001) and of Klebsiella strains on day 3 and at 3 months (4 vs. 20 %, p < 0.05; 5 vs. 24 %, p < 0.01). AC showed a lower incidence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa than NC on day 3 (6 vs. 31 %, p < 0.01) and Klebsiella spp. on day 3 and at 3 months (4 vs. 22 %, p < 0.05; 5 vs. 45 %, p < 0.001). No significant differences were recorded after 6 and 12 months. The incidence of allergies was 3 % in AC, 26 % in AN (p < 0.01), and 10 % in NC.