Bifidobacterium Choloepi
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''Bifidobacterium'' is a genus of gram-positive, nonmotile, often branched anaerobic bacteria. They are ubiquitous inhabitants of the
gastrointestinal tract The gastrointestinal tract (GI tract, digestive tract, alimentary canal) is the tract or passageway of the digestive system that leads from the mouth to the anus. The GI tract contains all the major organ (biology), organs of the digestive syste ...
though strains have been isolated from the vagina and mouth ('' B. dentium'') of mammals, including humans. Bifidobacteria are one of the major genera of bacteria that make up the gastrointestinal tract
microbiota Microbiota are the range of microorganisms that may be commensal, symbiotic, or pathogenic found in and on all multicellular organisms, including plants. Microbiota include bacteria, archaea, protists, fungi, and viruses, and have been found t ...
in mammals. Some bifidobacteria are used as probiotics. Before the 1960s, ''Bifidobacterium'' species were collectively referred to as ''Lactobacillus bifidus''.


History

In 1899, Henri Tissier, a French
pediatrician Pediatrics ( also spelled ''paediatrics'' or ''pædiatrics'') is the branch of medicine that involves the medical care of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. In the United Kingdom, paediatrics covers many of their youth until the ...
at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, isolated a bacterium characterised by a Y-shaped morphology ("bifid") in the intestinal microbiota of breast-fed infants and named it "bifidus". In 1907, Élie Metchnikoff, deputy director at the Pasteur Institute, propounded the theory that lactic acid bacteria are beneficial to human health. Metchnikoff observed that the
longevity The word " longevity" is sometimes used as a synonym for "life expectancy" in demography. However, the term ''longevity'' is sometimes meant to refer only to especially long-lived members of a population, whereas ''life expectancy'' is always d ...
of Bulgarians was the result of their consumption of fermented milk products. Metchnikoff also suggested that "oral administration of cultures of fermentative bacteria would implant the beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract".


Metabolism

The genus ''Bifidobacterium'' possesses a unique fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase pathway employed to ferment carbohydrates. Much metabolic research on bifidobacteria has focused on oligosaccharide metabolism, as these carbohydrates are available in their otherwise nutrient-limited habitats. Infant-associated bifidobacterial phylotypes appear to have evolved the ability to ferment milk oligosaccharides, whereas adult-associated species use plant oligosaccharides, consistent with what they encounter in their respective environments. As breast-fed infants often harbor bifidobacteria-dominated gut consortia, numerous applications attempt to mimic the bifidogenic properties of milk oligosaccharides. These are broadly classified as plant-derived fructooligosaccharides or dairy-derived galactooligosaccharides, which are differentially metabolized and distinct from milk oligosaccharide
catabolism Catabolism () is the set of metabolic pathways that breaks down molecules into smaller units that are either oxidized to release energy or used in other anabolic reactions. Catabolism breaks down large molecules (such as polysaccharides, lipids, ...
.


Response to oxygen

The sensitivity of members of the genus ''Bifidobacterium'' to O2 generally limits probiotic activity to anaerobic habitats. Recent research has reported that some ''Bifidobacterium'' strains exhibit various types of oxic growth. Low concentrations of O2 and CO2 can have a stimulatory effect on the growth of these ''Bifidobacterium'' strains. Based on the growth profiles under different O2 concentrations, the ''Bifidobacterium'' species were classified into four classes: O2-hypersensitive, O2-sensitive, O2-tolerant, and microaerophilic. The primary factor responsible for aerobic growth inhibition is proposed to be the production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the growth medium. A H2O2-forming NADH oxidase was purified from O2-sensitive ''Bifidobacterium bifidum'' and was identified as a ''b''-type
dihydroorotate dehydrogenase Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the ''DHODH'' gene on chromosome 16. The protein encoded by this gene catalyzes the fourth enzymatic step, the ubiquinone-mediated oxidation of dihydroorotate to ...
. The kinetic parameters suggested that the enzyme could be involved in H2O2 production in highly aerated environments.


Genomes

Members of the genus ''Bifidobacterium'' have genome sizes ranging from 1.73 (''Bifidobacterium indicum'') to 3.25 Mb (''Bifidobacterium biavatii''), corresponding to 1,352 and 2,557 predicted protein-encoding open reading frames, respectively. Functional classification of ''Bifidobacterium'' genes, including the
pan-genome In the fields of molecular biology and genetics, a pan-genome (pangenome or supragenome) is the entire set of genes from all strains within a clade. More generally, it is the union of all the genomes of a clade. The pan-genome can be broken d ...
of this genus, revealed that 13.7% of the identified bifidobacterial genes encode enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism.


Clinical uses

Adding ''Bifidobacterium'' as a probiotic to conventional treatment of ulcerative colitis has been shown to be associated with improved rates of remission and improved maintenance of remission. Some ''Bifidobacterium'' strains are considered as important probiotics and used in the food industry. Different species and/or strains of bifidobacteria may exert a range of beneficial health effects, including the regulation of intestinal microbial homeostasis, the inhibition of pathogens and harmful bacteria that colonize and/or infect the gut mucosa, the modulation of local and systemic immune responses, the repression of procarcinogenic enzymatic activities within the microbiota, the production of vitamins, and the bioconversion of a number of dietary compounds into bioactive molecules. Bifidobacteria improve the gut mucosal barrier and lower levels of lipopolysaccharide in the intestine. Bifidobacteria may also improve abdominal pain in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) though studies to date have been inconclusive. Naturally occurring ''Bifidobacterium'' spp. may discourage the growth of Gram-negative pathogens in infants. Mother's milk contains high concentrations of lactose and lower quantities of phosphate ( pH buffer). Therefore, when mother's milk is fermented by lactic acid bacteria (including bifidobacteria) in the infant's gastrointestinal tract, the pH may be reduced, making it more difficult for Gram-negative bacteria to grow.


Bifidobacteria and the infant gut

The human infant gut is relatively sterile up until birth, where it takes up bacteria from its surrounding environment and its mother. The
microbiota Microbiota are the range of microorganisms that may be commensal, symbiotic, or pathogenic found in and on all multicellular organisms, including plants. Microbiota include bacteria, archaea, protists, fungi, and viruses, and have been found t ...
that makes up the infant gut differs from the adult gut. An infant reaches the adult stage of their microbiome at around 3 years of age, when their microbiome diversity increases, stabilizes, and the infant switches over to solid foods. Breast-fed infants are colonized earlier by ''Bifidobacterium'' when compared to babies that are primarily formula-fed. ''Bifidobacterium'' is the most common bacteria in the infant gut microbiome. There is more variability in
genotype The genotype of an organism is its complete set of genetic material. Genotype can also be used to refer to the alleles or variants an individual carries in a particular gene or genetic location. The number of alleles an individual can have in a ...
s over time in infants, making them less stable compared to the adult ''Bifidobacterium''. Infants and children under 3 years old show low diversity in microbiome bacteria, but more diversity between individuals when compared to adults. Reduction of ''Bifidobacterium'' and increase in diversity of the infant gut microbiome occurs with less breast-milk intake and increase of solid food intake. Mammalian milk all contain oligosaccharides showing natural selection . Human milk oligosaccharides are not digested by enzymes and remain whole through the digestive tract before being broken down in the colon by microbiota. ''Bifidobacterium'' species genomes of '' B. longum, B. bifidum,
B. breve ''Bifidobacterium breve'' is a bacterial species of the genus ''Bifidobacterium'' which has probiotic properties. ''Bifidobacteria'' are a type of bacteria that live symbiotically in the intestines of humans. They have been used to treat a number ...
'' contain genes that can hydrolyze some of the human milk oligosaccharides and these are found in higher numbers in infants that are breast-fed.
Glycan The terms glycans and polysaccharides are defined by IUPAC as synonyms meaning "compounds consisting of a large number of monosaccharides linked glycosidically". However, in practice the term glycan may also be used to refer to the carbohydrate p ...
s that are produced by the humans are converted into food and energy for the ''B. bifidum.'' showing an example of
coevolution In biology, coevolution occurs when two or more species reciprocally affect each other's evolution through the process of natural selection. The term sometimes is used for two traits in the same species affecting each other's evolution, as well ...
.


Species

The genus ''Bifidobacterium'' comprises the following species: * '' B. actinocoloniiforme'' Killer et al. 2011 * '' B. adolescentis'' Reuter 1963 (Approved Lists 1980) * '' B. aemilianum'' Alberoni et al. 2019 * '' B. aerophilum'' Michelini et al. 2017 * '' B. aesculapii'' Modesto et al. 2014 * '' B. amazonense'' Lugli et al. 2021 * '' B. angulatum'' Scardovi and Crociani 1974 (Approved Lists 1980) * '' B. animalis'' (Mitsuoka 1969) Scardovi and Trovatelli 1974 (Approved Lists 1980) * '' B. anseris'' Lugli et al. 2018 * '' B. apousia'' Chen et al. 2022 * '' B. apri'' Pechar et al. 2017 * '' B. aquikefiri'' Laureys et al. 2016 * '' B. asteroides'' Scardovi and Trovatelli 1969 (Approved Lists 1980) * '' B. avesanii'' Michelini et al. 2019 * '' B. biavatii'' Endo et al. 2012 * '' B. bifidum'' (Tissier 1900) Orla-Jensen 1924 (Approved Lists 1980) * '' B. bohemicum'' Killer et al. 2011 * '' B. bombi'' Killer et al. 2009 * '' B. boum'' Scardovi et al. 1979 (Approved Lists 1980) * ''
B. breve ''Bifidobacterium breve'' is a bacterial species of the genus ''Bifidobacterium'' which has probiotic properties. ''Bifidobacteria'' are a type of bacteria that live symbiotically in the intestines of humans. They have been used to treat a number ...
'' Reuter 1963 (Approved Lists 1980) * '' B. callimiconis'' Duranti et al. 2019 * '' B. callitrichidarum'' Modesto et al. 2018 * '' B. callitrichos'' Endo et al. 2012 * '' B. canis'' Neuzil-Bunesova et al. 2020 * '' B. castoris'' Duranti et al. 2019 * '' B. catenulatum'' Scardovi and Crociani 1974 (Approved Lists 1980) * '' B. catulorum'' Modesto et al. 2018 * '' B. cebidarum'' Duranti et al. 2020 * '' B. choerinum'' Scardovi et al. 1979 (Approved Lists 1980) * '' B.choladohabitans '' Chen et al. 2022 * '' B. choloepi'' Modesto et al. 2020 * '' B. colobi'' Lugli et al. 2021 * '' B. commune'' Praet et al. 2015 * '' B. criceti'' Lugli et al. 2018 * "'' B. crudilactis''" Delcenserie et al. 2007 * '' B.cuniculi '' Scardovi et al. 1979 (Approved Lists 1980) * '' B. dentium'' Scardovi and Crociani 1974 (Approved Lists 1980) * '' B. dolichotidis'' Duranti et al. 2019 * "'' B. eriksonii''" Cato et al. 1970 * '' B. erythrocebi'' Neuzil-Bunesova et al. 2021 * '' B. eulemuris'' Michelini et al. 2016 * '' B. faecale'' Choi et al. 2014 * '' B. felsineum'' Modesto et al. 2020 * '' B. gallicum'' Lauer 1990 * '' B. gallinarum'' Watabe et al. 1983 * '' B. globosum'' (ex Scardovi et al. 1969) Biavati et al. 1982 * '' B. goeldii'' Duranti et al. 2019 * '' B. hapali'' Michelini et al. 2016 * '' B. '' Lugli et al. 2018 * '' B. indicum'' Scardovi and Trovatelli 1969 (Approved Lists 1980) * '' B. italicum'' Lugli et al. 2018 * '' B. jacchi'' Modesto et al. 2019 * '' B. lemurum'' Modesto et al. 2015 * '' B. leontopitheci'' Duranti et al. 2020 * '' B. longum'' Reuter 1963 (Approved Lists 1980) * '' B. magnum'' Scardovi and Zani 1974 (Approved Lists 1980) * '' B.margollesii '' Lugli et al. 2018 * '' B. merycicum'' Biavati and Mattarelli 1991 * '' B. miconis'' Lugli et al. 2021 * '' B. miconisargentati'' Lugli et al. 2021 * '' B. minimum'' Biavati et al. 1982 * '' B. mongoliense'' Watanabe et al. 2009 * '' B. moraviense'' Neuzil-Bunesova et al. 2021 * '' B. moukalabense'' Tsuchida et al. 2014 * '' B. myosotis'' Michelini et al. 2016 * '' B. oedipodis'' Neuzil-Bunesova et al. 2021 * '' B. olomucense'' Neuzil-Bunesova et al. 2021 * '' B. panos'' Neuzil-Bunesova et al. 2021 * '' B. parmae'' Lugli et al. 2018 * "'' B. platyrrhinorum''" Modesto et al. 2020 * '' B. pluvialisilvae'' Lugli et al. 2021 * '' B. polysaccharolyticum'' Chen et al. 2022 * '' B. pongonis'' Lugli et al. 2021 * '' B. porcinum'' (Zhu et al. 2003) Nouioui et al. 2018 * '' B. primatium'' Modesto et al. 2020 * '' B. pseudocatenulatum'' Scardovi et al. 1979 (Approved Lists 1980) * '' B. pseudolongum'' Mitsuoka 1969 (Approved Lists 1980) * '' B. psychraerophilum'' Simpson et al. 2004 * '' B. pullorum'' Trovatelli et al. 1974 (Approved Lists 1980) * '' B. ramosum'' Michelini et al. 2017 * '' B. reuteri'' Endo et al. 2012 * '' B. rousetti'' Modesto et al. 2021 * "'' B. ruminale''" Scardovi et al. 1969 * '' B. ruminantium'' Biavati and Mattarelli 1991 * '' B. saguini'' Endo et al. 2012 * '' B. saguinibicoloris'' Lugli et al. 2021 * "'' B. saimiriisciurei''" Modesto et al. 2020 * '' B. samirii'' Duranti et al. 2019 * '' B. santillanense'' Lugli et al. 2021 * '' B. scaligerum'' Modesto et al. 2020 * '' B. scardovii'' Hoyles et al. 2002 * '' B. simiarum'' Modesto et al. 2020 * '' B. simiiventris'' Lugli et al. 2021 * '' B. stellenboschense'' Endo et al. 2012 * '' B. subtile'' Biavati et al. 1982 * '' B. thermacidophilum'' Dong et al. 2000 * '' B. thermophilum'' corrig. Mitsuoka 1969 (Approved Lists 1980) * '' B. tibiigranuli'' Eckel et al. 2020 * '' B. tissieri'' corrig. Michelini et al. 2016 * '' B. tsurumiense'' Okamoto et al. 2008 * "'' B. urinalis''" Hojo et al. 2007 * '' B. vansinderenii'' Duranti et al. 2017 * '' B. vespertilionis'' Modesto et al. 2021 * '' B. xylocopae'' Alberoni et al. 2019


See also

*
List of bacterial vaginosis microbiota Bacterial vaginosis is caused by an imbalance of the naturally occurring bacteria in the vagina. The normally predominant species of ''Lactobacilli'' are markedly reduced. This is the list of organisms that are found in the vagina that are assoc ...
* Probiotic * Proteobiotics * Prebiotics


References


External links


Bifidobacterium
a
Microbe Wiki

Genomes Online Database
contains many Bifidobacterium genome projects
Comparative Analysis of Bifidobacterium Genomes
(at DOE's IMG system)
''Bifidobacterium'' at Bac''Dive'' - the Bacterial Diversity MetadatabaseSpotlight on Bifidobacteria
{{Authority control Bifidobacteriales Gut flora bacteria Bacterial vaginosis Bacteria genera