Bifidobacterium bifidum
Close view of Petri dish culture plate containing brain heart infusion (BHI) agar growth medium, inoculated with Bifidobacterium bifidum which, after a 42–72hr incubation period, has developed dewdrop-type bacterial colonies
Scientific classification
Domain:	Bacteria
Phylum:	Actinomycetota
Class:	Actinomycetia
Order:	Bifidobacteriales
Family:	Bifidobacteriaceae
Genus:	Bifidobacterium
Species:	B. bifidum
Binomial name
Bifidobacterium bifidum (Tissier 1900) Orla-Jensen 1924 (Approved Lists 1980)[1]
Synonyms[2][1]
Tissieria bifida (Tissier 1900) Pribram [de] 1929 Nocardia bifida (Tissier 1900) Vuillemin 1931 Lactobacillus parabifidus Weiss and Rettger 1938 Lactobacillus bifidus type II Weiss and Rettger 1938 Cohnistreptothrix bifidus (Tissier 1900) Negroni and Fischer 1944 Bifidibacterium bifidum (Tissier 1900) Prévot 1938 Bifidobacter bifidus [citation needed] Bacteroides bifidus (Tissier 1900) Castellani and Chalmers 1919 Bacterium bifidum (Tissier 1900) Lehmann and Neumann 1927 Bacillus bifidus communis Tissier 1900 Bacillus bifidus Tissier 1900 Actinomyces parabifidus (Weiss and Rettger 1938) Pine [es; it] and Georg 1965 Actinomyces bifidus (Tissier 1900) Nannizzi 1934 Actinobacterium bifidum (Tissier 1900) Puntoni 1937

Bifidobacterium bifidum is a bacterial species of the genus Bifidobacterium. B. bifidum is one of the most common probiotic bacteria that can be found in the body of mammals, including humans.

Structure and characteristics

B. bifidum is a Gram-positive, anaerobic bacterium that is neither motile nor spore-forming.^[3] The bacterium is rod-shaped and can be found living in clusters, pairs, or even independently. The majority of the population of B. bifidum is found in the colon, lower small intestine, breast milk, and often in the vagina.^[4]

B. bifidum is an essential bacteria found in the human intestine. When it is low or absent all together in the human intestine, it is an indication of being in an unhealthy state. Intestinal flora can be improved if someone takes oral B. bifidum. Also, oral B. bifidum is used for other things such as therapy for enteric and hepatic disorders, for activating the immune response, and for preventing some cancers.^[5] B. bifidum decreases as people age. As B. bifidum decreases, other gut bacteria such as Lactobacilli, Enterococci, Enterobacteria and Clostridia increase. All of these increase an older adults risk for cancer and decrease the ability for their liver to function adequately and efficiently.^[6] .

Benefits

The use of B. bifidum in probiotic applications may reduce the chances of acute diarrhea and the risk of E. coli infections, and contributes to the maintenance of vaginal homeostasis.^[7]

Intestinal microbial balance is important for an individual's digestive system. Some people keep this balance through diet alone where others take probiotics, which are microbial supplements. B. bifidum is an important intestinal microbe. One study shows that because hard cheese has a higher pH, higher fat content and is more solid, it is more effective in carrying probiotics such as B. bifidum to a person through ingestion.^[8]

Health concerns

The manipulation of the gut flora is complex and may cause bacteria-host interactions.^[9] Although probiotics, in general, are considered safe, there are concerns about their use in certain cases.^[9][10] Some people, such as those with compromised immune systems, short bowel syndrome, central venous catheters, heart valve disease and premature infants, may be at higher risk for adverse events.^[11] Rarely, consumption of probiotics may cause bacteremia, and sepsis, potentially fatal infections in children with lowered immune systems or who are already critically ill.^[12]