Microbiota data for the influence of breast milk microbiota from HIV-infected women on the infant gut microbiota colonization

The human milk microbiota plays a crucial role in shaping the infant gut microbiota during early life. Influenced by maternal factors such as birth mode, diet, and breastfeeding practices, these microbial communities are vital for infant health. In this study, we investigated the impact of maternal HIV status on milk microbiota composition and its correlation with infant gut microbiota at 7-14 days postpartum. We analyzed 68 lactating HIV-infected and uninfected women and their 69 infants (including twins) using 16S rRNA gene sequencing to examine microbiota across maternal stool, human milk, and infant stool samples.Human milk was predominantly composed of genera such as Streptococcus, Gemella, and Corynebacterium, with significant co-occurrences of Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus in the infant gut. In contrast, maternal stool exhibited greater diversity, notably with higher abundances of Romboutsia, Clostridium sensu stricto, and Faecalibacterium. Significant correlations were identified between specific taxa in human milk and the infant gut, such as Gemella and unclassified Enterobacteriaceae. SourceTracker analysis revealed that 31.5% of the taxa in infant gut microbiota were traceable to human milk, with a higher percentage (41%) in infants not exposed to HIV compared to those exposed (25.6%).These findings underscore the influence of milk microbiota on infant gut colonization, particularly among exclusively breastfed infants in resource-limited settings. The study emphasizes the need for further research on how milk-derived microbiota affect intestinal development and function, especially in the context of maternal HIV infection.