Genome sequencing of two strains of Bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantis causing bacteremia in neonates and six control strains

Administration of probiotics to premature newborns prevents necrotizing enterocolitis and reduces all cause mortality. Two cases of Bifidobacterium infantis bacteremia were diagnosed in newborns receiving probiotics. This study describes the sequence of the two strains causing bacteremia retrieved by blood culture and six other strains isolated directly from probiotics capsules. DNA was sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq system with a 2x150 bp run. SNP analysis was performed to confirm the probiotic origin of the B. infantis strain recovered from neonates with bacteremia.