Transient colonization of the gut of newborn infants by orally administered bifidobacteria and lactobacilli

We investigated if orally administered bifidobacteria and/or lactobacilli could be cultured from faeces of infants after antibiotic treatment, when these bacterial species are usually absent. Lyophilized Bifidobacterium longum, strain BB-536, B. breve, strain BB-576, or Lactobacillus acidophilus, strain LAC-343, were used. Doses of 3 x 10(9) cells of one strain, or a mixture of all three strains 3 x 10(9) cells each were fed three times daily at mealtimes to 11 infants aged 0-8 weeks. Treatment was started the first day after antibiotic treatment and was continued for 5 days. The bacterial species were isolated in 9 of 11, 7 of 10 and 2 of 9 specimens obtained on the last day of bifidobacteria or lactobacilli administration, 5 and 15 days thereafter, respectively. No side effects were noted.