Human milk oligosaccharides and Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli gastroenteritis risk in a Nicaraguan birth cohort

Area of Science:

• Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) research
• Infant nutrition and health
• Microbiome and infectious disease

Background:

• Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli cause widespread bacterial gastroenteritis, contributing to childhood malnutrition.
• Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are hypothesized to prevent campylobacteriosis by acting as decoy receptors and modulating gut microbiota.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between specific human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and the risk of Campylobacter jejuni/coli gastroenteritis in infants.
• To evaluate the protective potential of abundant HMOs, including 2'-fucosyllactose (2'FL), lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), and sialyllacto-N-tetraose c (LSTc).

Main Methods:

• Nineteen abundant HMOs were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography in human milk samples.
• Infants were monitored weekly for diarrhea, and C. jejuni/coli presence was detected via PCR and Sanger sequencing in stool samples.
• Gastroenteritis risk was analyzed in relation to HMO concentrations, maternal/child secretor status, and considering child weaning status.

Main Results:

• The study found a protective association between high concentrations of lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) and sialyllacto-N-tetraose c (LSTc) and reduced risk of C. jejuni/coli gastroenteritis.
• The abundant HMO 2'-fucosyllactose (2'FL) did not show a protective effect as hypothesized.
• Lacto-N-fucopentaose-III (LNFP-III) also demonstrated a potential weak protective association in sensitivity analyses, while most other HMOs were unassociated or positively associated with infection.

Conclusions:

• High intake of 2'-fucosyllactose (2'FL) early in life was not linked to protection against C. jejuni/coli gastroenteritis.
• Elevated levels of LNnT and LSTc, and possibly LNFP-III, are associated with decreased risk and warrant further investigation as preventative supplements.
• Safety assessments are crucial for HMO supplements in regions with high rates of enteric infections.