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The effect of probiotic bacteria on the adhesion of pathogens to human intestinal mucus

E M Tuomola1, A C Ouwehand, S J Salminen

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry, University of Turku, FIN-20014, Turku, Finland. elina.tuomola@utu.fi

FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology
|October 28, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Probiotics partially reduced pathogenic Escherichia coli adhesion to intestinal mucus. Certain probiotic strains, like Lactobacillus johnsonii LJ1, significantly inhibited Salmonella typhimurium adhesion, while others enhanced it.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Intestinal mucus acts as a barrier against pathogens.
  • Understanding pathogen adhesion is crucial for preventing infections.
  • Probiotics may modulate gut interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To model intestinal mucus adhesion of pathogenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella.
  • To evaluate the impact of probiotics on pathogen adhesion.

Main Methods:

  • Human intestinal glycoproteins from faeces used as a mucus model.
  • Assessed adhesion of pathogenic E. coli and Salmonella strains.
  • Tested the effect of various probiotic strains (Lactobacillus GG, L. rhamnosus LC-705, L. rhamnosus human isolate, L. johnsonii LJ1, L. casei Shirota).

Main Results:

  • S-fimbriated E. coli showed high adhesion; other pathogens adhered less.
  • Probiotics Lactobacillus GG, L. rhamnosus LC-705, and L. rhamnosus (human isolate) slightly reduced S-fimbria-mediated E. coli adhesion.
  • Lactobacillus johnsonii LJ1 and L. casei Shirota significantly inhibited Salmonella typhimurium adhesion.
  • Lactobacillus GG and L. rhamnosus (human isolate) increased S. typhimurium adhesion.

Conclusions:

  • Probiotics demonstrate varied effects on pathogen adhesion to intestinal mucus.
  • Specific probiotic strains can inhibit key pathogenic bacteria like Salmonella.
  • Further research is needed to understand pathogen-probiotic interactions.

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