Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Investigating the Effects of Probiotics on Pneumococcal Colonization Using an In Vitro Adherence Assay
09:20

Investigating the Effects of Probiotics on Pneumococcal Colonization Using an In Vitro Adherence Assay

Published on: April 28, 2014

Role of commercial probiotic strains against human pathogen adhesion to intestinal mucus

M C Collado1, J Meriluoto, S Salminen

  • 1Functional Foods Forum, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. marcol@utu.fi

Letters in Applied Microbiology
|September 28, 2007
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Commercial probiotic strains can inhibit and displace pathogenic bacteria from human mucus. Strain selection is crucial for effectively managing gut microbiota and preventing infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Probiotics Research

Background:

  • The human gut microbiota plays a critical role in health and disease.
  • Probiotic interventions are explored for modulating gut microbiota composition and function.
  • Understanding probiotic-pathogen interactions is key for therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the in vitro efficacy of commercial probiotic strains against pathogenic bacteria.
  • To assess the ability of probiotics to inhibit, compete with, and displace pathogen adhesion to human mucus.
  • To identify specific probiotic strains with potential for therapeutic use in managing enteric infections.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro assessment of 12 commercial probiotic strains from European markets.
  • Testing against 8 selected potential pathogenic bacteria (Bacteroides, Clostridium, Staphylococcus, Enterobacter).
  • Quantification of bacterial adhesion to immobilized human mucus via radioactivity measurements.

Main Results:

  • All tested probiotic strains demonstrated mucus adhesion capabilities.
  • Probiotics significantly inhibited and displaced adhesion of Bacteroides, Clostridium, Staphylococcus, and Enterobacter (P<0.05).
  • Inhibition and displacement effectiveness varied between probiotic and pathogen strain combinations, indicating strain-specific mechanisms.

Conclusions:

  • A case-by-case evaluation is necessary to select probiotic strains for specific pathogen inhibition or displacement.
  • Probiotics show potential for correcting dysbiosis and preventing pathogen-related intestinal diseases.
  • Competitive exclusion and pathogen displacement by probiotics are vital for therapeutic manipulation of the gut microbiota, enhancing human health.

More Related Videos

A Novel Method for the Culture and Polarized Stimulation of Human Intestinal Mucosa Explants06:38

A Novel Method for the Culture and Polarized Stimulation of Human Intestinal Mucosa Explants

Published on: May 1, 2013

Assessing the Viability of a Synthetic Bacterial Consortium on the In Vitro Gut Host-microbe Interface10:24

Assessing the Viability of a Synthetic Bacterial Consortium on the In Vitro Gut Host-microbe Interface

Published on: July 4, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Probiotics01:22

Probiotics

Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms that confer health benefits by modulating the gut microbiota. The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex microbial ecosystem, and the balance of this microbiota is crucial for digestive and systemic health. Among the most extensively studied and utilized probiotics are species formerly classified within the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These organisms not only naturally colonize the human gut but are also consumed through...
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity, and disease...
Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine

The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is characterized by distinct physicochemical conditions that shape its microbial communities. Among these, the stomach presents a particularly challenging environment for microbial colonization due to its highly acidic pH, ranging from 1 to 3. This extreme acidity effectively limits microbial density. However, certain acid-tolerant microorganisms are capable of surviving in this niche. Notably, Helicobacter pylori can colonize the gastric mucosa,...
Surface Membrane Barriers01:18

Surface Membrane Barriers

The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
Colonisation of Pathogens01:25

Colonisation of Pathogens

Pathogen colonization of host tissues is a critical step in the development of infectious diseases. Various pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, have evolved complex strategies to attach to, invade, and persist within host environments. These mechanisms enable pathogens to establish infections, evade immune responses, and resist antimicrobial treatments.Attachment to Host CellsIn bacteria, colonization typically begins with adherence to host epithelial...