(P27-043-24) Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis Survival on Inanimate Surfaces

Objectives: Bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantis is a consumer of human milk oligosaccharides, and is more prevalent in populations with historically high breastfeeding rates. Infant gut colonization with B. longum subsp. infantis is associated with a reduced risk of asthma and allergy, yet it is missing in most US populations, likely linked to the historic decline in breastfeeding rates in the US. As such, B. longum subspecies infantis may depend on horizontal transmission between breastfed infants to survive in populations. The objective of this study was to elucidate the ability of B. longum subsp. infantis to survive on inanimate surfaces under aerobic conditions, as growth after survival in aerobic conditions is critical for transmission between breastfed infants.

Methods: The survival of B. longum subsp. infantis EVC001 on common household surfaces was assessed by placing a known quantity of bacteria on various sterile surfaces (wood, plastic, fabric, foil) and storing the surfaces in sterile aerobic and anaerobic conditions over 28 days. Surfaces were then swapped with sterile swabs to determine if B. longum subsp. infantis could grow after storage.

Results: B. longum subsp. infantis was able to grow when returned to appropriate anaerobic conditions after 28 days of storage under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions on all tested surfaces.

Conclusions: The aerobic survival of B. longum subsp. infantis in common environmental conditions supports the potential for horizontal transmission of this microbe between breastfed infants. As B. longum subsp. infantis provides numerous health benefits for infants, there is a need to support longer duration breastfeeding to support the transmission of these microbes between infants.

Funding Sources: University of Florida 2023 Archer Early Career Seed Grant, "Baby 2 Baby Probiotic Transmission"