Intestinal Bacterial Colonization in the First 2 Weeks of Life of Nigerian Neonates Using Standard Culture Methods

Abstract

ObjectiveThe pattern and timing of development of intestinal microflora in Nigerian infants have been scarcely researched. This study was carried out to investigate the bacteria flora in the rectum of healthy neonates in Ibadan, Nigeria.Patients and methodsIn this hospital-based longitudinal study, rectal swabs of 70 neonates were taken within 6–12 h of birth (day 1) and subsequently on days 3, 9, and 14. Information collected included maternal sociodemographic characteristics, antibiotic use for the neonates, and type of feeding during the first 14 days of life. Identification and speciation of gram-negative isolates were done using the Analytical Profile Index 20E® and 20NE® as appropriate. Gram-positive bacteria were identified biochemically using the catalase and coagulase tests. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square at p = 0.05.ResultsMajority (92.9%) of the neonates were delivered vaginally with a median gestational age of 38 weeks (range = 34–42). On the first day of life, Escherichia coli was isolated more frequently from the rectal swabs of preterm (50.0%) than term (23.1%) neonates (p = 0.031). On day 3 of life, coagulase-negative staphylococcus was the most frequently isolated bacteria from the rectal swabs of nonasphyxiated (64.4%) compared with asphyxiated (27.3%) neonates’ rectal swabs (p = 0.042). Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated bacteria from the rectal swabs of nonexclusively breastfed (66.7%) than exclusively breastfed (21.3%) neonates on day 14 (p = 0.004).ConclusionStaphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were the predominant isolates from the rectum of Nigerian neonates, and these isolates were influenced by breastfeeding and mild–moderate asphyxia. In all, bacterial diversity in the rectum increased as the neonates got older.

Intrauterine Hypoxia Changed the Colonization of the Gut Microbiota in Newborn Rats

“…Intestinal microecology is the most complex microecosystem in the human body. It not only is involved in the digestion of food, the absorption of nutrients, and the synthesis of vitamins but also plays an important role in immune regulation ( 16 ). Gut microbiota dysbiosis is closely associated with localized gastroenterologic disorders ( 17 ).…”

Human behavior, not race or geography, is the strongest predictor of microbial succession in the gut bacteriome of infants

“…Similarly in a study of 65-70 Nigerian neonates, rectal swabbed samples consisted mainly of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (38.6%), followed by S. aureus (31.4%) and E. coli (30%) on the first day of life. 122 Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus remained the most frequently isolated bacteria at d 3, 9 and 14 d postpartum. Interestingly, this study reported an absence of Actinobacteria such as Bifidobacteria spp., which is consistent with previous findings in Nigeria published in 1982.…”

“…136 Moreover, despite high relative abundances, several papers still report low prevalence (<60% colonized) including papers from Belgium (57%), 137 Greece (35%), 21 Ireland (47%) 101 the United Kingdom (21%), 129 the United States (none detected [ND]), 138 Ethiopia (35%) 105 and Nigeria (ND). 122 While these studies show that Bifidobacteria spp. are often only present in a small fraction of infants or are not numerically dominant, some argue that the paucity of Bifidobacteria spp.…”

“…eventually predominates in breastfed infants, the rate of prevalence (Table 1), and overall abundance of Bifidobacteria spp. (Table 2) 21 Japan (21%), 100 Nigeria (0%), 122 the United Kingdom (27%), 129 Italy (20%) 130 and Australia (10%). 131 However, while rates of Bifidobacteria spp.…”

“…Other countries reporting low initial colonization rates of Bifidobacteria spp. include South Korea (2.1%), 128 Greece (23%), 21 Japan (21%), 100 Nigeria (0%), 122 the United Kingdom (27%), 129 Italy (20%) 130 and Australia (10%). 131 However, while rates of Bifidobacteria spp.…”