Lacto-N-tetraose mediates indole-3-lactic acid production by Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis to alleviate enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli-induced diarrhea in infants

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a leading cause of infectious diarrhea and poses a threat to infant health. Current treatments for ETEC infection primarily rely on antibiotics，which face limitations due to resistance and side effect. In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed fecal metabolic profiles in breastfed infants with and without diarrhea. We found a significant decrease in indole-3-lactic acid (ILA) levels in infants with diarrhea.