Effect of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum on the multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in the neonatal distal colon in vitro

Klebsiella pneumoniae ZFM4 isolated from necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) newborns, exhibits multiple virulence and resistance genes, demonstrating resistance to β-lactams, macrolides, and aminoglycosides. Conversely, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ZFM518 from the feces of healthy newborns significantly inhibited the growth of pathogenic bacteria. It also effectively reduced both the adhesion rate and the cytotoxicity of K. pneumoniae towards Caco-2 cells. Utilizing an in vitro model of the neonatal distal colon, L. plantarum ZFM518 administration significantly reduced the relative abundance of Klebsiella and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 in fecal samples from NEC individuals. Furthermore, L. plantarum ZFM518 intervention increased the prevalence of Lactiplantibacillus , Bifidobacterium , and Faecalibacterium in K. pneumoniae -infected feces. Metabolic profiling revealed that it also positively influenced microbial tryptophan metabolism, leading to elevated levels of 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA), indole-3-lactic acid (ILA), and indole-3-propionic acid (IPA). These findings underscore the potential of L. plantarum ZFM518 to alleviate disturbances in the gut microbiota and microbial metabolism of newborns. • K. pneumoniae contains a variety of virulence and antibiotic resistance. • L. plantarum ZFM518 inhibits the growth of Klebsiella in NEC feces. • L. plantarum ZFM518 promotes tryptophan metabolism of intestinal microbiota.