Proinflammatory effect of Pediococcus pentosaceus, a bacterium used as hay preservative

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 3, 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

C Duchaine1, E Israël-Assayag, M Fournier

  • 1Unité de Récherche, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.

The European Respiratory Journal
|December 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Pediococcus pentosaceus, used in hay treatment, can cause lung inflammation similar to Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula, a known cause of farmer's lung. Further research is needed to assess farmer risk from this bacterial culture.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Pulmonary Medicine

Background:

  • Bacterial cultures like Pediococcus pentosaceus are used to prevent hay heating and mold growth.
  • Microbial growth in hay is linked to farmer's lung, a serious respiratory condition.
  • The potential for P. pentosaceus to induce pulmonary inflammation is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential of bacterial cultures, specifically Pediococcus pentosaceus, to induce pulmonary inflammatory responses.
  • To compare the inflammatory potential of P. pentosaceus with Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula and Lactococcus lactis in a mouse model.

Main Methods:

  • Mice were exposed to nonviable preparations of P. pentosaceus, S. rectivirgula, L. lactis, or combinations thereof, along with a saline control.
  • Exposure was administered three times weekly for three weeks.
  • Pulmonary inflammation was assessed by analyzing bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cell counts, lung index, and specific immunoglobulin levels (IgG and IgA).

Main Results:

  • P. pentosaceus induced a significant pulmonary inflammatory response in mice, comparable to that caused by S. rectivirgula.
  • The inflammatory response to P. pentosaceus was more pronounced than that observed with L. lactis.
  • Elevated lung index and increased immune cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were noted in groups exposed to P. pentosaceus and S. rectivirgula.

Conclusions:

  • Pediococcus pentosaceus has the potential to elicit a pulmonary inflammatory response in mice similar to Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula.
  • S. rectivirgula is a primary antigen responsible for farmer's lung disease in Quebec.
  • Further investigation is required to determine if P. pentosaceus can act as an antigen causing farmer's lung or other lung conditions in farmers.

More Related Videos

Using the Overlay Assay to Qualitatively Measure Bacterial Production of and Sensitivity to Pneumococcal Bacteriocins06:05

Using the Overlay Assay to Qualitatively Measure Bacterial Production of and Sensitivity to Pneumococcal Bacteriocins

Published on: September 30, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical 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...
Microbes in the Production of Fermented Foods01:27

Microbes in the Production of Fermented Foods

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and molds are instrumental in fermenting plant-based foods to enhance preservation and ensure year-round availability. These microbial processes convert plant carbohydrates into organic acids and other metabolites that inhibit spoilage organisms and contribute to the sensory qualities of the final product.In sauerkraut production, cabbage goes through a microbial succession that starts with cocci such as Leuconostoc mesenteroides. These microbes begin fermentation by...
Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis01:23

Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis

Bacterial cell walls are typically rigid structures composed mainly of peptidoglycan, a mesh-like polymer that provides mechanical strength and maintains cell shape. The synthesis of peptidoglycan is a crucial process in bacterial growth and serves as a primary target for many antibiotics.Mechanism of Action of Beta-Lactam AntibioticsBeta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin, inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis in actively growing cells. These antibiotics share a characteristic four-membered...
Production of Antibiotics01:27

Production of Antibiotics

Penicillin, one of the earliest and most widely used antibiotics, is produced industrially by the filamentous fungus Penicillium chrysogenum. Large stirred-tank bioreactors ranging from tens to hundreds of thousands of liters maintain tightly controlled temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen conditions to support fungal metabolism and maximize antibiotic yield. Penicillin is a secondary metabolite, synthesized primarily during the stationary growth phase, which requires a carefully managed...
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...