Bifidobacterium Longum Transitional Strain for Infant Infection Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for new strategies to prevent and reduce the risk of infections in infants and young children, particularly during the transitional feeding period when the gut microbiota is undergoing significant changes.

Innovation Solution

The use of Bifidobacterium longum transitional microorganisms, combined with specific prebiotics such as human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and glycan substrates, to promote their growth and survival in the gut, thereby modulating cytokine levels and gut barrier permeability to enhance immune system development and reduce infection risk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional probiotics are used during the transitional feeding period, then general immune support is provided, but specific protection against infections is insufficient due to the dynamic changes in gut microbiota composition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection prevention efficacyVSAvoidadaptability to transitional microbiota changes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting a specific strain of Bifidobacterium longum (strain NCC 5004) that exhibits distinct physiological and metabolic characteristics adapted to the transitional feeding period. This strain demonstrates enhanced ability to utilize human milk oligosaccharides and produce specific metabolites that support immune development during the transitional period, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by administering the B. longum transitional strain before infections occur during the vulnerable transitional feeding period. The strain establishes itself in the gut microbiota in advance, modulating immune responses and gut barrier function proactively, which provides specific protection against subsequent infections rather than relying on general probiotic support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the gut microbiota is allowed to change naturally during the transitional period, then developmental progression occurs, but infection risk increases due to instability in microbial composition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobiota developmentVSAvoidinfection resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses Bifidobacterium longum transitional strain as an intermediary organism that mediates between the changing gut environment and the host immune system. This strain stabilizes the microbiota transitions by producing metabolites that support immune maturation while adapting to dietary changes, thereby maintaining both developmental progression and infection resistance during the transitional period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If broad-spectrum probiotics are administered, then general gut health is supported, but specific modulation of protective cytokines and gut barrier permeability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegeneral gut health supportVSAvoidcytokine modulation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by focusing on the specific functional properties of B. longum transitional strain that enable precise modulation of protective cytokines (such as IL-10 and TGF-β) and gut barrier permeability. Rather than relying on general probiotic effects, this strain exhibits localized actions on immune cell populations and tight junction proteins, providing targeted intervention for infection prevention during the transitional period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The Bifidobacterium longum transitional microorganisms, when supplemented with HMOs and glycan substrates, effectively modulate protective cytokines and gut barrier permeability, reducing the risk of infections in infants and young children.

Implementation Method 1

the B. longum transitional microorganisms are capable of modulating levels of protective cytokines (e.g. IL-6)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCytokine modulation:

Implementation Method 2

modulating gut barrier permeability, for example following an insult or exacerbation to gut barrier permeability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGut barrier modulation:

Implementation Method 3

a prebiotic that promotes the growth and/or survival of a Bifidobacterium longum transitional microorganism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPrebiotic effect:

Data Source

PatentUS20260083785A1Uses of bifidobacterium longum transitional microorganism

Publication Date: 2026.03.26 SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA

AI summary

The present invention relates to a Bifidobacterium longum transitional microorganism for use in preventing and/or reducing the risk of an infection in an infant or young child.