Microbial profile along the maternal-infant axis: Early characterization and relationships in breastfeeding women and their newborns in a Colombian population.

The maternal gut microbiota in this Colombian cohort was dominated by specific bacterial genera.

• Maternal gut microbiota was dominated by Subdoligranulum spp., Akkermansia spp., Christensenellaceae R-7 group, and Bacteroides spp.
• The study used 16S rRNA sequencing on the Illumina platform to assess bacterial composition and diversity.
• 30 mother-infant pairs were included in the cross-sectional study.
• Samples were collected at a single time point within the first three months postpartum from exclusively breastfeeding pairs.

The human milk microbiota was dominated by Streptococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp.

• Human milk samples were among the 90 total samples analyzed (human milk, maternal feces, and infant feces).
• Bacterial composition was assessed using 16S rRNA sequencing on the Illumina platform.
• All mother-infant pairs were healthy and exclusively breastfeeding.
• Samples were collected within the first three months postpartum.

The infant gut microbiota was primarily composed of Escherichia-Shigella spp. and Bifidobacterium spp.

• Infant fecal samples were among the 90 total samples analyzed across 30 mother-infant pairs.
• Infants were exclusively breastfed and healthy at the time of sample collection.
• Bacterial composition was assessed using 16S rRNA sequencing on the Illumina platform.
• Samples were collected within the first three months postpartum at a single time point.

A total of 644 ASVs were shared among the maternal gut microbiota, human milk, and infant gut microbiota.

• The 644 shared Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs) were identified across all three sample types: maternal feces, human milk, and infant feces.
• The presence of shared ASVs indicates potential microbial interactions that could be important for early-life colonization.
• The analysis was performed using 16S rRNA sequencing on the Illumina platform.
• A total of 90 samples from 30 mother-infant pairs were analyzed.

This study represents the first comprehensive characterization of the maternal-infant microbial axis in a Colombian population.

• The study was conducted as a cross-sectional design with 30 mother-infant pairs.
• 90 samples were analyzed including human milk, maternal feces, and infant feces.
• Bacterial composition and diversity were assessed using 16S rRNA sequencing on the Illumina platform.
• All participants were healthy, exclusively breastfeeding Colombian mother-infant pairs within the first three months postpartum.

Distinct microbial profiles were identified across the three compartments of the maternal-infant axis.

• Maternal gut was dominated by Subdoligranulum spp., Akkermansia spp., Christensenellaceae R-7 group, and Bacteroides spp.
• Human milk was dominated by Streptococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp.
• Infant gut was primarily composed of Escherichia-Shigella spp. and Bifidobacterium spp.
• The distinct profiles across compartments were characterized using 16S rRNA sequencing-based microbiota analysis.
• The authors suggest these findings should be considered in clinical and nutritional care strategies for lactating women.