Compositions comprising bacterial strains

Abstract

The invention provides compositions comprising bacterial strains for treating and preventing inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

1 .- 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A solid composition that comprises:
 at least 10 3  colony forming units (CFU) of a bacteria strain of the genus  Eubacterium  that comprises a polynucleotide of a 16S rRNA gene having at least 98% identity to the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:4, as determined by a Smith-Waterman homology search algorithm using an affine gap search with a gap open penalty of 12, a gap extension penalty of 2, and a blocks substitution matrix (BLOSUM) of 62, and   an excipient, diluent, or carrier;   wherein the solid composition is suitable for oral delivery.   
     
     
         32 . The solid composition of  claim 31 , wherein the bacteria strain is effective to reduce the severity of a Th17 mediated inflammatory response in a subject in need thereof. 
     
     
         33 . The solid composition of  claim 31 , wherein the bacteria strain is present in the composition in an amount sufficient to partially or totally colonize the intestine of the subject. 
     
     
         34 . The solid composition of  claim 31 , wherein the probiotic composition further comprises at least one additional bacteria strain. 
     
     
         35 . The solid composition of  claim 31 , wherein the bacteria strain is lyophilized. 
     
     
         36 . The solid composition of  claim 31 , wherein the excipient, diluent, or carrier comprises a lyoprotectant. 
     
     
         37 . The solid composition of  claim 31 , wherein the solid composition is encapsulated. 
     
     
         38 . The solid composition of  claim 31 , wherein the solid composition is an enteric formulation. 
     
     
         39 . The solid composition of  claim 31 , wherein the solid composition is a pharmaceutical composition. 
     
     
         40 . The solid composition of  claim 31 , further comprising a prebiotic compound. 
     
     
         41 . The solid composition of  claim 40 , wherein the prebiotic compound is selected from the group consisting of: an oligosaccharide, a polysaccharide, a sugar alcohol, inulin, transgalacto-oligosaccharides, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         42 . The solid composition of  claim 31 , wherein the excipient, diluent or carrier is selected from the group consisting of lactose, starch, glucose, methyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, mannitol, sorbitol, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         43 . A method promoting healthy gastrointestinal health, comprising administering to a subject a bacteria strain of the genus  Eubacterium  that comprises a polynucleotide of a 16S rRNA gene having at least 98% identity to the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:4, as determined by a Smith-Waterman homology search algorithm using an affine gap search with a gap open penalty of 12, a gap extension penalty of 2, and a BLOSUM of 62. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the bacteria strain comprises at least 10 3  colony forming units (CFU) of bacteria. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the subject is human. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the administration is oral. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the subject has or has been diagnosed with a gastrointestinal disorder associated with the Th17 pathway. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the gastrointestinal disorder associated with the Th17 pathway is an inflammatory bowel disease. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the inflammatory bowel disease comprises Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the bacteria is administered to the subject in an amount sufficient to partially or totally colonize the gastrointestinal tract of the subject.