Bifidobacterium bifidum

Bifidobacterium bifidum is a bacterial species of the genus Bifidobacterium. B. bifidum is one of the most common probiotic bacteria that can be found in the body of mammals, including humans.

Bifidobacterium bifidum
Close view of Petri dish culture plate containing brain heart infusion (BHI) agar growth medium, inoculated with Bifidobacterium bifidum which, after a 42–72hr incubation period, has developed dewdrop-type bacterial colonies
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Bacteria
Phylum: Actinomycetota
Class: Actinomycetia
Order: Bifidobacteriales
Family: Bifidobacteriaceae
Genus: Bifidobacterium
Species:
B. bifidum
Binomial name
Bifidobacterium bifidum
(Tissier 1900) Orla-Jensen 1924 (Approved Lists 1980)[1]
Synonyms[2][1]

Structure and characteristics

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B. bifidum is a Gram-positive, anaerobic bacterium that is neither motile nor spore-forming.[3] The bacterium is rod-shaped and can be found living in clusters, pairs, or even independently. The majority of the population of B. bifidum is found in the colon, lower small intestine, breast milk, and often in the vagina.[4]

B. bifidum (along with B. longum and B. breve) dominates in breastfed infants. With age, this composition alters in favor of other bifidobacteria species, and the total bifidobacteria population declines to lower but relatively stable levels.[5]

B. bifidum is an essential bacteria found in the human intestine. When it is low or absent all together in the human intestine, it is an indication of being in an unhealthy state. Intestinal flora can be improved if someone takes oral B. bifidum. Also, oral B. bifidum is used for other things such as therapy for enteric and hepatic disorders, for activating the immune response, and for preventing some cancers.[6]

Benefits

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Various strains of B. bifidum have been shown to confer significant health benefits to their human host.[7]

  • Antibacterial activity: B. bifidum BF-1 and CECT 7366 exhibit activity against pathogens, including Helicobacter pylori.
  • Gut health improvement: B. bifidum MIMBb75 and DSM 20082 help alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and certain chronic large bowel dysfunctions.
  • Reduction of apoptosis: B. bifidum OLB6378 reduces apoptosis in the intestinal epithelium of infants with necrotizing enterocolitis.
  • Immune modulation: ATCC 86321 and S17 influence immune responses by balancing inflammatory and anti-inflammatory activity.

Additionally, B. bifidum demonstrates strong adhesion to intestinal epithelial cells, a critical feature for its persistence in the gastrointestinal tract and its ability to provide health-promoting effects. This species also plays an essential role in establishing a balanced intestinal microbiota in newborns, working alongside B. breve and B. longum subsp. infantis.[8]

Health concerns

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The manipulation of the gut flora is complex and may cause bacteria-host interactions.[9] Although probiotics, in general, are considered safe, there are concerns about their use in certain cases.[9][10] Some people, such as those with compromised immune systems, short bowel syndrome, central venous catheters, heart valve disease and premature infants, may be at higher risk for adverse events.[11] Rarely, consumption of probiotics may cause bacteremia, and sepsis, potentially fatal infections in children with lowered immune systems or who are already critically ill.[12]

Maternal inheritance and persistence in gut microbiota

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B. bifidum is among the first microbial colonizers of the infant gut, introduced through maternal transmission during birth and breastfeeding. This vertical transmission process facilitates the establishment of B. bifidum and other bifidobacteria, which are commonly found in both the mother's gut and milk.[13] Studies using metagenomics and profiling techniques have identified specific strains of B. bifidum shared between mothers and infants, persisting in the infant gut for up to a year.[14] Such maternal inheritance highlights the evolutionary relationship between bifidobacteria and their hosts, with maternal milk serving as a critical vector for colonization.[13] This process can be disrupted under non-natural conditions like cesarean delivery or formula feeding.[7]

Beyond early life, B. bifidum exhibits persistence in the human gut, albeit at lower abundances, throughout life. Its ability to persist is attributed to unique genomic features, including genes for extracellular structures like exopolysaccharides, pili, and enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism.[14] These features enable B. bifidum to utilize complex dietary carbohydrates and host-derived glycans, such as mucin and human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), providing a competitive advantage for colonization and resilience in the gut environment. Strains capable of metabolizing HMOs and mucin demonstrate higher resilience and are better equipped for long-term colonization, making B. bifidum a crucial contributor to gut health and microbial stability across life stages.

Research on different Bifidobacterium strains

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MIMBb75

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B. bifidum MIMBb75 is a probiotic strain isolated from a healthy adult.[15] It is recognized for its strong adhesion to intestinal cells and its role in immune system modulation.[16] The strain has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and is available as a pharmaceutical probiotic product in encapsulated form.[17]

BGN4

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B. bifidum BGN4 has been used in health products and dairy production since 2000. It offers multiple health benefits, including supporting immune health, reducing IBS symptoms, and aiding in eczema treatment.[18][19] Research has also suggested anti-cancer properties and interactions with plant-based compounds. Recent genomic studies highlight its potential for broader applications.[20]

PRL2010

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B. bifidum PRL2010 is noted for its immune-boosting effects, helping balance inflammation and promoting gut health.[21] It can metabolize complex sugars in the gut, facilitating its colonization of the intestine. This strain also produces pili, which enhance its ability to adhere to intestinal surfaces and inhibit the adhesion of pathogens such as E. coli.[22]

References

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  1. ^ a b Parte, A.C. "Bifidobacterium". LPSN.
  2. ^ "Bifidobacterium bifidum". NCBI taxonomy. Bethesda, MD: National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  3. ^ Hoover, D. G. (2014-01-01), "Bifidobacterium", in Batt, Carl A.; Tortorello, Mary Lou (eds.), Encyclopedia of Food Microbiology (Second Edition), Oxford: Academic Press, pp. 216–222, doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-384730-0.00033-1, ISBN 978-0-12-384733-1, retrieved 2022-01-05
  4. ^ Palmer, Chana; Bik, Elisabeth M; DiGiulio, Daniel B; Relman, David A; Brown, Patrick O (26 June 2007). "Development of the Human Infant Intestinal Microbiota". PLOS Biology. 5 (7): e177. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.0050177. PMC 1896187. PMID 17594176.
  5. ^ Arboleya, Silvia; Watkins, Claire; Stanton, Catherine; Ross, R. Paul (2016-08-19). "Gut Bifidobacteria Populations in Human Health and Aging". Frontiers in Microbiology. 7: 1204. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2016.01204. ISSN 1664-302X. PMC 4990546. PMID 27594848.
  6. ^ Mitsuoka, Tomotari (December 1990). "Bifidobacteria and their role in human health". Journal of Industrial Microbiology. 6 (4): 263–267. doi:10.1007/BF01575871. S2CID 42494430.
  7. ^ a b Turroni, Francesca; Duranti, Sabrina; Bottacini, Francesca; Guglielmetti, Simone; Van Sinderen, Douwe; Ventura, Marco (2014-08-21). "Bifidobacterium bifidum as an example of a specialized human gut commensal". Frontiers in Microbiology. 5. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2014.00437. ISSN 1664-302X. PMC 4140077. PMID 25191315.
  8. ^ Turroni, Francesca; Peano, Clelia; Pass, Daniel A.; Foroni, Elena; Severgnini, Marco; Claesson, Marcus J.; Kerr, Colm; Hourihane, Jonathan; Murray, Deirdre; Fuligni, Fabio; Gueimonde, Miguel; Margolles, Abelardo; Bellis, Gianluca De; O’Toole, Paul W.; Sinderen, Douwe van (2012-05-11). "Diversity of Bifidobacteria within the Infant Gut Microbiota". PLOS ONE. 7 (5): e36957. Bibcode:2012PLoSO...736957T. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0036957. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 3350489. PMID 22606315.
  9. ^ a b Durchschein F, Petritsch W, Hammer HF (2016). "Diet therapy for inflammatory bowel diseases: The established and the new". World J Gastroenterol (Review). 22 (7): 2179–94. doi:10.3748/wjg.v22.i7.2179. PMC 4734995. PMID 26900283.
  10. ^ Boyle, Robert J; Robins-Browne, Roy M; Tang, Mimi LK (1 June 2006). "Probiotic use in clinical practice: what are the risks?". The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 83 (6): 1256–1264. doi:10.1093/ajcn/83.6.1256. PMID 16762934.
  11. ^ Doron, Shira; Snydman, David R. (15 May 2015). "Risk and Safety of Probiotics". Clinical Infectious Diseases. 60 (suppl_2): S129–S134. doi:10.1093/cid/civ085. PMC 4490230. PMID 25922398.
  12. ^ Singhi, Sunit C.; Kumar, Suresh (29 March 2016). "Probiotics in critically ill children". F1000Research. 5: 407. doi:10.12688/f1000research.7630.1. PMC 4813632. PMID 27081478.
  13. ^ a b Turroni, Francesca; Duranti, Sabrina; Milani, Christian; Lugli, Gabriele Andrea; van Sinderen, Douwe; Ventura, Marco (November 2019). "Bifidobacterium bifidum: A Key Member of the Early Human Gut Microbiota". Microorganisms. 7 (11): 544. doi:10.3390/microorganisms7110544. ISSN 2076-2607. PMC 6920858. PMID 31717486.
  14. ^ a b Tarracchini, Chiara; Alessandri, Giulia; Fontana, Federico; Rizzo, Sonia Mirjam; Lugli, Gabriele Andrea; Bianchi, Massimiliano Giovanni; Mancabelli, Leonardo; Longhi, Giulia; Argentini, Chiara; Vergna, Laura Maria; Anzalone, Rosaria; Viappiani, Alice; Turroni, Francesca; Taurino, Giuseppe; Chiu, Martina (2023-07-14). "Genetic strategies for sex-biased persistence of gut microbes across human life". Nature Communications. 14 (1): 4220. doi:10.1038/s41467-023-39931-2. ISSN 2041-1723. PMC 10349097. PMID 37452041.
  15. ^ Guglielmetti, Simone; Tamagnini, Isabella; Mora, Diego; Minuzzo, Mario; Scarafoni, Alessio; Arioli, Stefania; Hellman, Jukka; Karp, Matti; Parini, Carlo (August 2008). "Implication of an Outer Surface Lipoprotein in Adhesion of Bifidobacterium bifidum to Caco-2 Cells". Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 74 (15): 4695–4702. Bibcode:2008ApEnM..74.4695G. doi:10.1128/AEM.00124-08. ISSN 0099-2240. PMC 2519326. PMID 18539800.
  16. ^ Guglielmetti, Simone; Tamagnini, Isabella; Minuzzo, Mario; Arioli, Stefania; Parini, Carlo; Comelli, Elena; Mora, Diego (2009-08-01). "Study of the Adhesion of Bifidobacterium bifidum MIMBb75 to Human Intestinal Cell Lines". Current Microbiology. 59 (2): 167–172. doi:10.1007/s00284-009-9415-x. ISSN 1432-0991. PMID 19452211.
  17. ^ Guglielmetti, S.; Mora, D.; Gschwender, M.; Popp, K. (May 2011). "Randomised clinical trial: Bifidobacterium bifidum MIMBb75 significantly alleviates irritable bowel syndrome and improves quality of life -- a double-blind, placebo-controlled study: Randomised clinical trial: B. bifidum MIMBb75 in IBS". Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 33 (10): 1123–1132. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2011.04633.x.
  18. ^ Hong, Kyoung Sup; Kang, Hyoun Woo; Im, Jong Pil; Ji, Geun Eog; Kim, Sang Gyun; Jung, Hyun Chae; Song, In Sung; Kim, Joo Sung (2009-06-30). "Effect of Probiotics on Symptoms in Korean Adults with Irritable Bowel Syndrome". Gut and Liver. 3 (2): 101–107. doi:10.5009/gnl.2009.3.2.101. ISSN 1976-2283. PMC 2852694. PMID 20431731.
  19. ^ Ku, Seockmo; Park, Myeong Soo; Ji, Geun Eog; You, Hyun Ju (September 2016). "Review on Bifidobacterium bifidum BGN4: Functionality and Nutraceutical Applications as a Probiotic Microorganism". International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 17 (9): 1544. doi:10.3390/ijms17091544. ISSN 1422-0067. PMC 5037818. PMID 27649150.
  20. ^ You, Hyun Ju; Oh, Deok-Kun; Ji, Geun Eog (November 2004). "Anticancerogenic effect of a novel chiroinositol-containing polysaccharide fromBifidobacterium bifidumBGN4". FEMS Microbiology Letters. 240 (2): 131–136. doi:10.1016/j.femsle.2004.09.020. ISSN 0378-1097.
  21. ^ Turroni, Francesca; Taverniti, Valentina; Ruas-Madiedo, Patricia; Duranti, Sabrina; Guglielmetti, Simone; Lugli, Gabriele Andrea; Gioiosa, Laura; Palanza, Paola; Margolles, Abelardo; van Sinderen, Douwe; Ventura, Marco (2014-01-15). "Bifidobacterium bifidum PRL2010 Modulates the Host Innate Immune Response". Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 80 (2): 730–740. Bibcode:2014ApEnM..80..730T. doi:10.1128/AEM.03313-13. ISSN 0099-2240. PMC 3911076. PMID 24242237.
  22. ^ Turroni, Francesca; Serafini, Fausta; Foroni, Elena; Duranti, Sabrina; O’Connell Motherway, Mary; Taverniti, Valentina; Mangifesta, Marta; Milani, Christian; Viappiani, Alice; Roversi, Tommaso; Sánchez, Borja; Santoni, Andrea; Gioiosa, Laura; Ferrarini, Alberto; Delledonne, Massimo (2013-07-02). "Role of sortase-dependent pili of Bifidobacterium bifidum PRL2010 in modulating bacterium–host interactions". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 110 (27): 11151–11156. Bibcode:2013PNAS..11011151T. doi:10.1073/pnas.1303897110. ISSN 0027-8424. PMC 3703987. PMID 23776216.
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