Preterm babies with very low birth weight who received a probiotic alongside antibiotics had fewer multidrug resistant bacteria and a more typical gut microbiome, a new study shows.

The paper published in Nature Communications is the result of a trial testing probiotics among a group of 34 pre-term babies born with a very low birth weight, under 1500g representing around 1-1.5% of babies born around the world. The study sequenced gut bacteria from the babies during the first three weeks after birth.

The collaborative study led by Professor Lindsay Hall and Dr Raymond Kiu from the University of Birmingham found that among babies who received a probiotic treatment of a certain strain including Bifidobacterium alongside antibiotics, levels of typical bacterial strains associated with early-life gut microbiota were at levels typical among full-term babies, reducing both the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes and the number of multi-drug resistant bacteria in the gut.

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There were lower levels of drug-resistant pathogens including Enterococcus associated with risks of infections and longer hospital stays. Babies who received probiotics also saw higher levels of certain positive bacteria found naturally in the gut.

Among babies who didn’t receive probiotics, analysis of the gut bacteria found that while some differences occurred between those receiving antibiotics or not, both groups saw a dominant microbiome develop that included key bacteria (pathobionts) that can cause health problems including life-threatening infections during the crucial period after birth, as well as in later life.

Professor Lindsay Hall from the University of Birmingham and a group leader at Quadram Institute Bioscience, and senior corresponding author of the study said:

“We have already shown that probiotics are highly effective in protecting vulnerable preterm babies from serious infections, and this study now reveals that these probiotics also significantly reduce the presence of antibiotic resistance genes and multidrug-resistant bacteria in the infant gut. Crucially, they seem to do so selectively – targeting resistant strains without disrupting non-resistant strains that might be beneficial. 

“In the context of the global AMR crisis, this is a major finding, especially for NICUs where preterm infants are especially vulnerable. Probiotics are now used in many neonatal ICUs around the UK, and the WHO have recommended probiotic supplementation in preterm babies. 

“Our paper shows how beneficial this intervention can be for babies born prematurely to help them give their gut a kickstart, and reduce the impact of concerning pathogens taking hold.”

Dr Raymond Kiu from the University of Birmingham, first and co-corresponding author of the paper said:

“Sequencing technology has now confirmed that probiotic Bifidobacterium rapidly replicates in the preterm gut during the first three weeks of life. Importantly, this successful colonisation drives the maturation of the gut microbiota and is linked to a noticeable reduction in multi-drug-resistant pathogens—pointing to its pivotal role in improving neonatal health. Our findings also shed light on the complex interactions between antibiotics, probiotics, and horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in shaping the early-life microbiome.”

“We believe this research lays the groundwork for future studies exploring the role of probiotics in antimicrobial stewardship and infection control among preterm populations.”

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact Press Office, University of Birmingham – [email protected] or: +44 (0)121 414 2772

Notes to editor:

•    The University of Birmingham  is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, educators and more than 8,000 international students from over 150 countries.
•    England’s first civic university, the University of Birmingham is proud to be rooted in of one of the most dynamic and diverse cities in the country. A member of the Russell Group and a founding member of the Universitas 21 global network of research universities, the University of Birmingham has been changing the way the world works for more than a century. 
•    The University of Birmingham is committed to achieving operational net zero carbon. It is seeking to change society and the environment positively, and use its research and education to make a major global contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Find out at www.birmingham.ac.uk/sustainability.
•    The University of Birmingham is a founding member of Birmingham Health Partners (BHP), a strategic alliance which transcends organisational boundaries to rapidly translate healthcare research findings into new diagnostics, drugs and devices for patients. Birmingham Health Partners is a strategic alliance between nine organisations who collaborate to bring healthcare innovations through to clinical application:
o    University of Birmingham
o    University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
o    Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
o    Aston University
o    The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 
o    Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust
o    Health Innovation West Midlands
o    Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
o    Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
 

Journal

Nature Communications

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Impact of early life antibiotic and probiotic treatment on gut microbiome and resistome of very-low-birth-weight preterm infants

Article Publication Date

14-Aug-2025

Media Contact

Tony Moran

University of Birmingham

[email protected]

Cell: 7827832312

Journal
Nature Communications

Journal

Nature Communications

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Impact of early life antibiotic and probiotic treatment on gut microbiome and resistome of very-low-birth-weight preterm infants

Article Publication Date

14-Aug-2025

Keywords
/Life sciences/Biochemistry/Pharmacology/Drug resistance/Antibiotic resistance

/Health and medicine/Diseases and disorders/Congenital disorders/Birth defects

/Life sciences/Microbiology/Microorganisms

/Life sciences/Microbiology

/Life sciences/Microbiology/Bacteriology/Bacteria

/Life sciences/Microbiology/Bacteriology/Bacterial species

/Health and medicine/Human health/Human biology/Human reproduction

bu içeriği en az 2000 kelime olacak şekilde ve alt başlıklar ve madde içermiyecek şekilde ünlü bir science magazine için İngilizce olarak yeniden yaz. Teknik açıklamalar içersin ve viral olacak şekilde İngilizce yaz. Haber dışında başka bir şey içermesin. Haber içerisinde en az 12 paragraf ve her bir paragrafta da en az 50 kelime olsun. Cevapta sadece haber olsun. Ayrıca haberi yazdıktan sonra içerikten yararlanarak aşağıdaki başlıkların bilgisi var ise haberin altında doldur. Eğer yoksa bilgisi ilgili kısmı yazma.:
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Keywords

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