Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the feces of schoolchildren of two different socioeconomic groups: children from a favela and children from a private school

Abstract

Objective: To determine the number of lactobacillus and bifidobacterium colonies in the feces of schoolchildren from two different socioeconomic levels. Methods:We analyzed fecal samples of children aged 6 to 10 years without gastrointestinal symptoms or recent use of antimicrobials. The first group included 86 children living in a favela in the city of Osasco, state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. The second group included 36 children attending a private school in the same city. Body mass index (BMI) was used to assess nutritional status according to the reference values of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Specific anaerobic culture media were used for isolation of colonies for 48 and 72 hours at 37 °C. The number of colonies was determined using the plate-counting method. Results:The mean lactobacillus (1.125 x 10 9 colony-forming units, CFU/g) and bifidobacterium (1.675 x 10 9 CFU/g) counts in the private school group were higher (p < 0.001) than those in the favela group: 0.250 x 10 9 and 0.350 x 10 9 CFU/g, respectively. In the favela group, children with BMI z score < -1.0 standard deviation (SD) (n = 28) showed lower mean (p < 0.05) lactobacillus (0.100 x 10 9 CFU/g) and bifidobacterium (0.095 x 10 9 CFU/g) counts than the children with BMI ≥ -1.0 SD (n = 57): 0.350 x 10 9 and 0.420 x 10 9 CFU/g, respectively. Conclusion:The microbiota of schoolchildren living in unfavorable environmental conditions shows lower numbers of fecal lactobacillus and bifidobacterium colonies, especially in children with lower BMI values.J Pediatr (Rio J). 2009;85(4):307-314: Lactobacillus, bifidobacterium, socioeconomic factors, nutritional status, environmental exposure, enteropathies. ResumoObjetivo: Determinar o número de colônias de lactobacilos e bifidobactérias nas fezes de crianças escolares, pertencentes a dois estratos socioeconômicos.Métodos: Foram analisadas amostras de fezes de crianças com idade entre 6 e 10 anos sem sintomas gastrointestinais ou uso recente de antimicrobianos. O primeiro grupo foi constituído por 86 crianças, moradoras em uma favela localizada no município de Osasco (SP). O segundo grupo foi constituído por 36 crianças matriculadas em uma escola particular da mesma cidade. O estado nutricional foi avaliado usando o índice de massa corporal (IMC) de acordo com os valores de referência do National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). O isolamento das colônias foi realizado em meios de cultura específicos em anaerobiose, durante 48 e 72 horas a 37 °C. A determinação do número foi feita pelo método da contagem em placa.Resultados: A mediana de lactobacilos (1,125 x 10 9 unidades formadoras de colônia, UFC/g) e bifidobactérias (1,675 x 10 9 UFC/g) na escola particular foi superior (p < 0,001) ao do grupo da favela: 0,250 x 10 9 e 0,350 x 10 9 UFC/g, respectivamente. No grupo da favela, crianças com escore z de IMC < -1,0 desvio padrão (n = 28) apresentaram menor mediana (p < 0,05) de lactobacilos (0,100 x 10 9 UFC/g) e bifidobactérias (0,095 x 10 9 UFC/g) em relação às cria...

Association between Yogurt Consumption and Intestinal Microbiota in Healthy Young Adults Differs by Host Gender

“…Such diet–microbiota associations have also been reported in varying geographical backgrounds, e.g. subjects from rural Africa or Europe (De Filippo et al, 2010) or other different countries (Lozupone et al, 2012; Yatsunenko et al, 2012; Nakayama et al, 2015) or from different socioeconomic groups (Benno et al, 1989; Mello et al, 2009; Claesson et al, 2012). These studies consistently suggested the diet–microbiota interaction and also its consequent influence on fecal short chain fatty acid concentrations.…”

The human gut microbiome in health: establishment and resilience of microbiota over a lifetime

“…) (De Filippo et al ., ; Rampelli et al, 2015; Nakayama et al ., 2015). Apart from these factors, the differences observed between school children attending private schools compared to children living in impoverished conditions may be the result of several social factors which are presently difficult to deconvolute (De Mello et al ., ). These factors likely also contribute to the described association between taxonomic structures and level of education (Ding and Schloss, ).…”

“…In spite of the relatively conserved, characteristic features of body site‐specific microbiota (Kurokawa et al ., ; Huttenhower et al ., ; Hollister et al ., ), it remains unclear which factors influence microbial community assembly and their relative importance. Key factors which likely influence microbiota compositions include age (Palmer et al ., ; Mariat et al ., ; Koenig et al ., ), geographical location (Yatsunenko et al ., ), host genetics (Gagliani et al ., ; Blekhman et al ., ), social context (De Mello et al ., ; Koenig et al ., ; Nakayama et al ., 2015), and diet (David et al ., ) (Fig. ).…”

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“…1 The authors suggest a relation between nutritional status and gastrointestinal flora, since a low number of Lb and Bif was associated with a low body mass index. 1 Whether this association should be regarded as "causal" or more as a have an increased contact with pathogens since they have almost no legal water supply connection and no garbage collection. In conclusion: "the more lactobacilli, the better" seems to be a reality.…”