RNA probes for infant allergy research
The importance of infant diets in relation to their predisposition to diseases and allergies cannot be understated. Another major factor involved in infant health is the role played by intestinal microbiota. Many species, in particular bacteria, inhabit the human gut and the correct balance is essential for a state of symbiosis to prevail. To this end, researchers under the umbrella of the EU funded project INFABIO, conducted a comprehensive survey of infants in five European countries. Data concerning lifestyle, diet and disease was compiled in a bid to unravel the complexities of the development of allergy and disease. Specifically, project partners at INRA in France developed an assay to identify strains of bacteria present in the gut that may be responsible for delayed tolerance in infants. Individual probes, one for each of Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium difficile were developed to specifically detect and quantify the two faecal bacteria. Validation of the probes followed using a variety of techniques including FISH (fluorescent in situ hybridisation) with flow cytometry and faecal samples inoculated with the Clostridium strains. The 16S ribosomal RNA probes were defined using databases from the Ribosomal Database Project. Armed with these two novel probes and another eight previously developed, the predominant faecal microbiotic groups present in infants ranging from 1.5 to 18.5 months were identified. As one of the potential causes of allergic and infectious disorders, the relative proportions of the two Clostridium species were quantified. The predominant species within the gut flora were also identified and found to belong to the Bifidobacterium genus. In contrast to Clostridium, Bifidobacterium is associated with a low incidence of allergy and aids digestion. The data accrued from this research lies at the very heart of the biochemical processes underlying nutrition, disease and its biochemistry. As such, it is of interest to commercial industries such as the infant food industry right through to the public health agencies responsible for the promotion of practices such as the importance of breast feeding.
