Methods and compositions for determining, and for minimizing, the likelihood of development of allergy in infants

A method for minimizing the likelihood of development of allergy in offspring of a female individual comprising the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of Prevotella to a female individual to provide from 1×106 to 1×1011 colony forming units (cfu) per day to the female individual, thereby minimizing the likelihood of development of allergy in an offspring of the female individual, wherein the female individual is administered with Prevotella no more than about 6 months prior to her falling pregnant, and wherein the Prevotella is Prevotella_9, species X or species Y.