Breast Milk: A Source of Bifidobacteria for Infant Gut Development and Maturation?

<i>Background:</i> The establishment of gut microbiota is a stepwise process contributing to gut development and maturation of the immune system. Aberrant gut microbiota at an early age may predispose to disease later in life. Breast-fed infants harbor a characteristic intestinal microbiota dominated by bifidobacteria. <i>Objectives:</i> To assess, using molecular techniques (PCR), whether human milk contains bifidobacteria and to determine the bifidobacterial species present. <i>Methods:</i> The presence of bifidobacteria in breast milk samples (n = 20) was qualitatively and quantitatively determined by using PCR and real-time PCR, respectively. <i>Results:</i> Breast milk samples contained bifidobacteria. <i>Bifidobacterium longum</i> was the most widely found species followed by <i>Bifidobacterium animalis</i>, <i>Bifidobacterium bifidum</i> and <i>Bifidobacterium catenulatum</i>. <i>Conclusion:</i> Breast milk contains bifidobacteria and specific <i>Bifidobacterium</i> species that may promote healthy microbiota development.