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Lactobacillus paracasei feeding improves the control of secondary experimental meningococcal infection in

Nouria Belkacem1,2, Raphaëlle Bourdet-Sicard2,3, Muhamed-Kkeir Taha4

  • 1Institut Pasteur, Invasive Bacterial Infections Unit , 28 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724, Paris, France.

BMC Infectious Diseases
|April 12, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Probiotics like Lactobacillus paracasei may help prevent secondary bacterial infections after influenza. This study found it reduced weight loss and bacterial load in mice, suggesting a role for the gut-lung axis in immunity.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Probiotics are increasingly recommended for antimicrobial defense, particularly against influenza.
  • Limited data exists on probiotic effects on secondary bacterial infections following influenza.
  • A strong association between influenza virus and invasive Neisseria meningitidis infections is documented.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of Lactobacillus paracasei CNCM I-1518 on sequential influenza and meningococcal infections in a mouse model.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of L. paracasei in mitigating secondary bacterial infections post-influenza.

Main Methods:

  • BALB/c mice were infected with influenza A virus (IAV) H3N2.
  • A secondary bacterial infection was induced with bioluminescent Neisseria meningitidis.
  • Mice received either L. paracasei CNCM I-1518 or PBS orally during the experiment.

Main Results:

  • Oral L. paracasei CNCM I-1518 administration reduced weight loss in infected mice.
  • A lower bioluminescent signal of N. meningitidis was observed in probiotic-treated mice.
  • This was linked to increased recruitment of inflammatory myeloid cells, including monocytes and dendritic cells, in the lungs.

Conclusions:

  • Lactobacillus paracasei CNCM I-1518 may enhance defense against both influenza and secondary bacterial infections.
  • The findings underscore the importance of the gut-lung axis in immune response.
  • Further clinical trials are warranted to validate these results in humans.
Keywords:
InflammationInfluenzaeMeningococciMiceNeisseria meningitidisProbioticsSecondary infection

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