IntroductionProbiotics and prebiotics are widely used for recovery of the human gut microbiome after antibiotic treatment. High antibiotic usage is especially common in children with developing microbiome. We hypothesized that dry Mare’s milk, which is rich in biologically active substances without containing live bacteria, could be used as a prebiotic in promoting microbial diversity following antibiotic treatment in children. The present pilot study aims to determine the impacts of dry Mare’s milk on the diversity of gut bacterial communities when administered during antibiotic treatment and throughout the subsequent recovery phase.MethodsSix children aged 4 to 5 years and diagnosed with bilateral bronchopneumonia were prescribed cephalosporin antibiotics. During the 60 days of the study, three children consumed dry Mare’s milk whereas the other three did not. Fecal samples were collected daily during antibiotic therapy and every 5 days after antibiotic therapy. Total DNA was isolated and taxonomic composition of gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. To assess the immune status of the gut, stool samples were analyzed by bead-based multiplex assays.ResultsMare’s milk treatment seems to prevent the bloom of Mollicutes, while preventing the loss of Coriobacteriales. Immunological analysis of the stool reveals an effect of Mare’s milk on local immune parameters under the present conditions.

Abstract. Nurgaziyev M, Atenov Y, Khassenbekova Z, Akpanova S, Rysbekov K, Kozhakhmetov S, Nurgozhina A, Sergazy S, Chulenbayeva L, Ospanova Z, Tuyakova A, Mukhambetganov N, Sattybayeva R, Urazova S, Galymgozhina N, Zhumadilova A, Gulyaev A, Kushugulova A. 2020. Effect of mare’s milk prebiotic supplementation on the gut microbiome and the immune system following antibiotic therapy. Biodiversitas 21: 5065-5071. Antibiotic treatment can severely affect the gut microbiome for short-term and long-term consequences. Probiotic and prebiotic supplements are widely prescribed to modulate the composition and function of the human gut microbiome. The current study aims to determine the impacts of mare’s milk prebiotics on the diversity of gut bacterial communities and the local immune system when administered during and after a course of antibiotic therapy. Six children aged 4 to 5 years diagnosed with bilateral bronchopneumonia were prescribed cephalosporin (cefuroxime) antibiotics. During the 60 days of the study, three children consumed mare’s milk prebiotics, while the other three did not. Fecal samples were collected daily during antibiotic therapy and every five days after the last day of antibiotic treatment. Total DNA was isolated, and the taxonomic composition of the gut microbiome was analyzed by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene (V1-V3 region). The MULTIPLEX MAP platform was used to evaluate the local immune status. The relative abundance of 11 genera was reduced and did not recover until the last day of the study. The abundance of Bacteroides was not significantly altered in either group. Christensenella, Rothia, Abiotrophia, Acinetobacter, Anaerotruncus, Holdemania, and Turicibacter numbers were significantly increased on day five and remained at the same level during the study period. Cephalosporin administration also reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines (MIP1α, TNFα, GMCSF, GCSF, sCD40L, FGF2, TGFα, IL1α, and IP10).