Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
09:20
Investigating the Effects of Probiotics on Pneumococcal Colonization Using an In Vitro Adherence Assay
Published on: April 28, 2014
12.6K
Exploring the In Vitro Antibacterial Potential of Specific Probiotic Strains against Oral Pathogens
Diletta F Squarzanti1, Federica Dell'Atti2, Alessandro C Scalia3
1Synbalance Srl, 21040 Origgio, VA, Italy.
Microorganisms
|March 28, 2024
Summary
Certain probiotic strains effectively inhibit oral pathogens like Streptococcus mutans and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. These findings suggest probiotics can help restore oral balance and improve overall health.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Oral Health
- Probiotics
Background:
- Oral microbiota imbalance is linked to oral diseases and systemic health issues.
- Probiotic interventions show potential for restoring oral microbial balance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To screen viable probiotic strains for antibacterial and antiadhesive activities against oral pathogens.
- To evaluate the efficacy of selected probiotics in preventing pathogen growth and adhesion.
Main Methods:
- Screening of ten probiotic strains against Streptococcus mutans and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans.
- Agar overlay, plate count, and scanning electron microscopy were used to assess inhibition and adhesion.
- Preventive and treatment models were employed to evaluate probiotic efficacy.
Main Results:
- Seven probiotic strains demonstrated significant inhibition zones against oral pathogens.
- Lactiplantibacillus plantarum PBS067, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LRH020, and three L. paracasei strains (LPC 1101, LPC 1082, LPC 1114) showed significant pathogen growth and adhesion inhibition.
- Inhibition was observed in a strain-specific manner (p < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
- Specific probiotic strains, including L. plantarum PBS067 and L. rhamnosus LRH020, are effective against key oral pathogens.
- These probiotics may serve as adjuncts for improving oral and systemic health.
- Personalized probiotic treatments hold promise for future oral health management.
Related Concept Videos
00:57Antibiotic Selection
Overview
01:31Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
01:22Probiotics
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...
01:27The Skin Microbiota
The human skin serves as a complex ecosystem inhabited by a diverse community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining skin health and defending against pathogenic invaders. The composition of microbial communities varies significantly across different regions of the body, influenced primarily by the local levels of moisture and sebum.Regional Variation in Skin MicrobiotaCutibacterium acnes predominantly colonizes sebaceous...
01:27The Oral Microbiota
The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
01:25Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...