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Effect of Probiotics on Host-Microbiota in Bacterial Infections
Ascensión Rueda-Robles1, Avilene Rodríguez-Lara2, Matthew S Meyers3
1Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Campus Universitario s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain.
Abstract:
Diseases caused by bacteria cause millions of deaths every year. In addition, the problem of resistance to antibiotics is so serious that it threatens the achievements of modern medicine. This is a very important global problem as some bacteria can also develop persistence. Indeed, the persistence of pathogenic bacteria has evolved as a potent survival strategy to overcome host organisms' defense mechanisms. Additionally, chronic or persistent infections may be caused by persisters which could facilitate antibiotic resistance. Probiotics are considered good bacteria. It has been described that the modulation of gut microbiota by probiotics could have a great potential to counteract the deleterious impact and/or regulate gut microbiota after bacterial infection. Probiotics might provide health benefits through the inhibition of pathogen growth or the replacement of pathogenic bacteria. Bearing in mind that current strategies to avoid bacterial persistence and prevent antibiotic resistance are not effective, other strategies need to be assessed. We have carried out a comprehensive review, which included the reported literature between 2016 and 2021, highlighting the clinical trials that reported the probiotics' potential to regulate gut microbiota after bacterial infection and focusing in particular on the context of antibiotic resistance and persister cells.
Insights
Probiotics may help combat antibiotic resistance and bacterial persistence by regulating gut microbiota. This review highlights clinical trials exploring probiotics as a strategy against these growing threats.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Bacterial infections cause millions of deaths annually, exacerbated by rising antibiotic resistance.
- Bacterial persistence is a survival strategy that can lead to chronic infections and facilitate antibiotic resistance.
- Current strategies against bacterial persistence and antibiotic resistance are insufficient, necessitating novel approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review clinical trials investigating the potential of probiotics in modulating gut microbiota.
- To focus on the role of probiotics in combating antibiotic resistance and bacterial persistence.
- To assess probiotics as an alternative strategy against pathogenic bacteria.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of studies published between 2016 and 2021.
- Focused analysis on clinical trials reporting probiotic effects on gut microbiota.
- Emphasis on trials related to antibiotic resistance and bacterial persister cells.
Main Results:
- Probiotics show potential in regulating gut microbiota following bacterial infections.
- Evidence suggests probiotics may counteract the impact of pathogenic bacteria.
- Probiotics might inhibit pathogen growth or replace them in the gut ecosystem.
Conclusions:
- Probiotics represent a promising strategy to address antibiotic resistance and bacterial persistence.
- Modulating gut microbiota with probiotics could offer a novel therapeutic avenue.
- Further clinical research is warranted to fully elucidate the benefits of probiotics in infectious disease management.
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