Maternal-neonatal transmission of Enterococcus strains during delivery

Abstract

Background: Cesarean delivery (c-section) is on the rise globally. C-section is generally preferred if complications prevail in a vaginal delivery. Some private institutions conduct it unnecessarily for economic gains. This has led to a severe risk to a child's health. The neonate's gut microbiota has been observed to be influenced by the mode of delivery. Lactobacilli and other bacteria are very vital for developing healthy gut flora. An attempt has been made to investigate the passage of lactic acid bacteria to the infant via delivery. The vaginal swabs of the mothers and fresh meconium samples of the newborns post-delivery were examined for the presence of lactobacilli through culture techniques. Results: The present investigation revealed that c-section-delivered infants lacked these bacteria in comparison with vaginally delivered infants. Biochemical tests and 16S rRNA sequencing showed similarity with groups 1, 2, 3, and 5 of Enterococcus genus. Phylogenetic analysis revealed more than 98% similarity with several Enterococcus species. E. canintestini, E.rivorum, and E. dispar were transferred frequently from mother to infants born via vaginal delivery. The strains were submitted to the NCBI GenBank database under accession numbers KX830968-KX830982. Conclusion: The study supports the hypothesis of maternal-neonatal transmission of bacteria during delivery and also possibilities of isolating newer strains for probiotic use.

Perinatal Gram-Positive Bacteria Exposure Elicits Distinct Cytokine Responses In Vitro

“…In fact, despite its pathogenicity, E. faecalis has been postulated as a potential probiotic [ 47 ]. The maternal E. faecalis colonization of the gastrointestinal tract in healthy newborns has been associated to protection from gut infections in the later life of the infant [ 48 ]. It has been reported that E. faecalis produces antibacterial compounds and attenuates inflammatory responses to other pathogens in vitro and in vivo, e.g., by suppressing IL-8 or by promoting IL-10 secretion [ 47 ], which together may account for the relatively moderate cytokine stimulation observed here in response to E. faecalis.…”

Exploring the Diet-Gut Microbiota-Epigenetics Crosstalk Relevant to Neonatal Diabetes

“…A previous study supports the notion of vertical transmission of Enterococcus spp. from the mother to her infant by vaginal delivery [104]. Enterococcus forms L(+)-lactic acid as the key end product of sugar fermentation [105].…”

Spray drying studies of probiotic Enterococcus strains encapsulated with whey protein and maltodextrin

“…Avirulent probiotic bacterial strains of E. canintestini S18A, E. rivorum S22C, and E. rivorum S14B previously isolated from human vagina and infants' meconium were used for the probiotic preparation by spray-drying. The bacterial strain sequences were deposited in NCBI GenBank under accession numbers KX 830979, KX 830971, and KX 830973, respectively [10][11][12]. The strains preserved in 40% glycerol stocks were inoculated in 100 ml of MRS broth and incubated for 48 h at 37 °C.…”

“…The present investigation involves the effect of encapsulation of three previously screened potential probiotic Enterococcus strains of human origin using a proteincarbohydrate complex as wall material and spray-drying method on viability [10,11].…”