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Updated: Apr 5, 2026

Non-Invasive Model of Neuropathogenic Escherichia coli Infection in the Neonatal Rat
Published on: October 29, 2014
[Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG inhibits Cronobacter-induced meningitis in neonatal rats]
Liang Zhong1, Ruqin Lin, Beiguo Long
1Department of Microbiology, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Objective:
To investigate the inhibitory effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG ( LGG) against Cronobacter-induced meningitis in neonatal rats.
Methods:
The cell adhesion and invasion capacities of Cronobacter were assayed in Caco-2 cells, and the optimal time length and concentration of the bacterium for infection were determined. The suppressive effects of LGG on the adhesion and invasion of Cronobacter in caco-2 cells were tested by competitive and exclusion experiments, and its inhibitory effect against Cronobacter-induced meningitis was evaluated in neonatal rats.
Results:
Cronobacter showed aggressive adhesion to caco-2 cells with an optimal infection time of 3 h. LGG produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of Cronobacter adhesion and invasion by competing with and excluding the latter for cell adhesion. In neonatal rats, LGG showed an obvious preventive effect and also a moderate therapeutic effect against Cronobacter-induced meningitis.
Conclusion:
LGG can inhibit Cronobacter entry across the intestinal barrier to achieve preventive and therapeutic effects against Cronobacter-induced meningitis.

