Therapeutic microbiota for the treatment and/or prevention of food allergy

Abstract

Disclosed are methods and compositions for the prevention and treatment of food allergy. In particular, described herein are microbial consortia, including minimal microbial consortia, that can prevent and/or cure food allergy. In certain embodiments, the consortia comprise certain members of the taxa Clostridiales and/or Bacteroidetes.

1 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising:
 (i) a preparation comprising a minimal microbial consortium consisting essentially of four to eleven strains of viable gut bacteria, in an amount sufficient to increase immune system tolerance when administered to an individual in need thereof, and   (ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.   
     
     
         2 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for oral delivery. 
     
     
         3 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 2 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is in the oral dosage form of a capsule, a reconstituted lyophilisate, a food item, or is formulated as a liquid, gel, or fluid-gel. 
     
     
         4 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , wherein the four to eleven strains of viable gut bacteria consist essentially of strains of  Clostridium  or  Bacteroides.    
     
     
         5 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , wherein the four to eleven strains of viable gut bacteria are selected from the group consisting of:  Clostridium ramosum, Clostridium scindens, Clostridium hiranonsis, Clostridium bifermentans, Clostridium leptum, Clostridium sardiniensis, Bacteroides fragilis, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Bacteroides ovatus, Parabacteroides goldsteinii , and  Prevotella tannerae.    
     
     
         6 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , wherein the four to eleven strains of viable gut bacteria consist of:  Clostridium ramosum, Clostridium scindens, Clostridium hiranonsis, Clostridium bifermentans, Clostridium leptum , and  Clostridium sardiniensis.    
     
     
         7 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , wherein the four to eleven strains of viable gut bacteria consist of:  Bacteroides fragilis, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Bacteroides ovatus, Parabacteroides goldsteinii , and  Prevotella tannerae.    
     
     
         8 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , wherein the four to eleven strains of viable gut bacteria are in an amount sufficient to treat or prevent a food allergy. 
     
     
         9 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , wherein four to eleven strains of viable gut bacteria are present in substantially equal biomass. 
     
     
         10 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , wherein four to eleven strains of viable gut bacteria are each present in an amount of at least about 1×10 8  CFUs/ml. 
     
     
         11 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition does not comprise any of:  Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Enterobacter cloacae, Bilophilawadsworthia, Alistipes onderdonkii, Desulfovibrio  species,  Lactobacillus johnsonii , or  Parasutterella excrementihominis.    
     
     
         12 . A method for increasing immune system tolerance, the method comprising administering the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1  to a subject in need thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for oral delivery. 
     
     
         14 . A method for treating or preventing a food allergy, the method comprising administering the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1  to a subject in need thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for oral delivery