Uncovering microbial populations in the lumen of neonatal enteral feeding tubes utilising 16s rRNA sequencing

Gastrointestinal microbiome is increasingly implicated in the morbidity associated with being born preterm. Enteral tubes (ET) are essential for the nutritional care of preterm infants. Limited culture-based studies have suggested they are colonised by high densities of microorganisms. Microbial DNA was extracted from 60 ETs retrieved from infants in a tertiary neonatal unit and analysed by16s rRNA sequencing of the V4 variable region. Relative abundance analysis on dominant microorganisms demonstrated that compared to breast milk, formula significantly increased abundance of Streptococcus spp and significantly decreased Enterococcus spp and Enterobacteriaceae Vaginal birth was also associated with significantly increased relative abundance of Streptococcus . This study more accurately demonstrates the extent of microbial diversity in neonatal ETs, with feeding regime significantly influencing colonisation patterns. Colonisation with unwanted organisms, as a result of specific care regimes, could result in disruption of the fragile infant gut microbiome, with implications for long-term morbidity.