Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-l7hp2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T10:34:02.518Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Probiotics and non-intestinal infectious conditions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

M. de Vrese*
Affiliation:
Federal Dairy Research Centre, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry of Nutrition, Hermann-Weigmann-Straβe 1, D-24103 Kiel, Germany
J. Schrezenmeir
Affiliation:
Federal Dairy Research Centre, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry of Nutrition, Hermann-Weigmann-Straβe 1, D-24103 Kiel, Germany
*
*Corresponding author: Dr M. de Vrese, fax +49 431 609 2472, email [email protected]
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Orally ingested probiotic micro-organisms do not exert health effects exclusively in the intestine. Some strains can alleviate or prevent bacterial, fungal or viral infections in other organs by stimulation of the immune system. By preservation or improvement of the barrier function of the intestinal mucosa, they may inhibit translocation of potential pathogens and thus prevent infections of the blood stream and other tissues and organs. Modulation of the intestinal microflora can affect the local microflora of the urogenital tract and possibly of the oral cavity. Finally, some strains of orally ingested bacteria reach target organs like the urogenital tract in a viable state; alternatively they can be applied locally.

Despite the infection-preventing properties of probiotic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria have rarely been identified in infections of the blood stream, heart valves and other organs, usually only in patients with severe disease. It is the general opinion that in most cases the source of infection was the commensal microflora of the intestine or the oral cavity. Until now only one case of infection associated with administration of a probiotic strain has been published.

The most promising health-promoting effects have been seen in vaginosis, urinary tract infections, Helicobacter pylori gastritis and infections of the respiratory tract in children. More controlled clinical trials with sufficient numbers of participants are needed to determine the scientific basis for the use of probiotic bacteria in infections in locations of the body other than the intestine.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2002

References

Adams, MR (1998) Safety of industrial lactic acid bacteria. Journal of Biotechnology 68, 171178.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Aguirre, M & Collins, MD (1993) Lactic acid bacteria and human clinical infection. Journal of Applied Bacteriology 75, 95107.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Asahara, T, Nomoto, K, Watanuki, M & Yokokura, T (2001) Antimicrobial activity of intraurethrally administered probiotic Lactobacillus casei in a murine model of Escherichia coli urinary tract infection. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy Journal 45, 17511760.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bautista-Garfias, CR, Ixta, O, Orduna, M, Martinez, F, Aguilar, B & Cortes, A (1999) Enhancement of resistance in mice treated with Lactobacillus casei: effect on Trichinella spiralis infection. Veterinary Parasitology 14, 251260.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bayona Gonzalez, A, Lopez Camara, V & Gomez Castellanos, A (1990) Prevencion de caries por lactobacilos (resultados finales de un ensayo clinico sobre caries dental con lactobacilos muertos [estreptococos y lactobacilos] por via oral) (Prevention of caries with lactobacillus (final results of a clinical trial on dental caries with killed lactobacillus [streptococcus and lactobacillus] given orally)). Practica Odontologica 11, 3739.Google Scholar
Bazzoli, F, Zagari, RM, Pozzato, P, Fossi, S, Alampi, G, Scottili, S, Simoni, P, Roda, A & Roda, E (1994) 13C-Urea-breath-test to quantify Helicobacter pylori colonization of gastric mucosa and association with severity of inflammation. Gastroenterology 106, A48.Google Scholar
Berufsgenossenschaft der Chemischen Industrie (1997) Eingruppierung biologischer Agenzien: Bakterien. Sichere Biotechnologie, Merkblatt B006, 2/97.Google Scholar
Bhatia, SJ, Kochar, N, Abraham, P, Nair, NG & Mehta, AP (1989) Lactobacillus acidophilus inhibits growth of Campylobacter pylori in vitro. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 27, 23282330.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Brassart, D, Bernet, M-F, Michetti, P, Neeser, J-R & Servin, AL (1993) Adhesion of dairy lactobacilli and bifidobacteria to the human differentiated enterocytic cell lines HT-29 and Caco-2 and protection against gastrointestinal pathogens. First World Congress of Dairy Products in Human Health and NutritionMadrid7–10. June 1993. Abstract 106.Google Scholar
Brook, I & Frazier, EH (1993) Significant recovery of nonsporulating anaerobic rods from clinical specimens. Clinical Infectious Diseases 16, 476480.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Busscher, HJ, Mulder, AF & van der Mei, HC (1999) In vitro adhesion to enamel and in vivo colonization of tooth surfaces by Lactobacilli from a bioyoghurt. Caries Research 33, 403404.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cangemi de Gutierrez, RC, Santos de Araoz, VS & Nader-Macias, ME (2000) Effect of intranasal administration of Lactobacillus fermentum on the respiratory tract of mice. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin 23, 973978.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chimura, T, Funayama, T, Murayama, K & Numazaki, M (1995) Ecological treatment of bacterial vaginosis. Japanese Journal of Antibiotics 48, 432436.Google ScholarPubMed
Coconnier, MH, Lievin, V, Hemery, E & Servin, AL (1998) Antagonistic activity against Helicobacter infection in vitro and in vivo by the human Lactobacillus acidophilus strain LB. Applied Environmental Microbiology 64, 45734580.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
de Vrese, M, Fenselau, S, Feindt, F, Laue, C, Kristen, H, Lick, S, Heller, K, Schrezenmeir, J, Plock, J, Kleinbach-Sauter, H, Ishibashi, N, Hayasawa, H & Tomita, M (2001 a) Effects of yogurt containing Bifidobacterium longum BB536 on diarrhea induced by antibiotic administration for eradication of H pylori. Conference of Intestinal Bacteriology (ICIB), Tokyo, 5 June.Google Scholar
de Vrese, M, Rautenberg, P, Laue, C, Koopmans, M, Herremans, T & Schrezenmeir, J (2001 b) Einfluss von Probiotika auf die Immunantwort auf eine Polioschluckimpfung (Effects of probiotics on immune response to polio vaccination). Proceedings of the German Nutrition Society 3, 7.Google Scholar
de Vrese, M & Schrezenmeir, J (2000 a) Einfluβ probiotischer Bifidobakterien auf die Helicobacter pylori activity (Effects of probiotic bifidobacteria on Helicobacter activity). Annual Report 2000, p. 58. Kiel: Federal Dairy Centre.Google Scholar
de Vrese, M & Schrezenmeir, J (2000 b) Einflüsse von Probiotika auf die Immunantwort auf eine Hepatitis A und B-Impfung (Effects of probiotics on a defined immunological challenge with Hepatitis A and B vaccine). Annual Report 2000, p. 57. Kiel: Federal Dairy Centre.Google Scholar
Felley, CP, Corthesy-Theulaz, I, Rivero, JLB, Sipponen, P, Kaufmann, M, Bauerfeind, P, Wiesel, PH, Brassart, D, Pfeifer, A, Blum, AL & Michetti, P (2001) Favourable effects of an acidified milk (LC-1) on Helicobacter pylori gastritis in man. European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 13, 2529.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fuller, R (1989) Probiotics in man and animals. Journal of Applied Bacteriology 66, 365378.Google Scholar
Gasser, F (1994) Safety of lactic acid bacteria and their occurrence in human clinical infections. Bulletin de l'Institut Pasteur 92, 4567.Google Scholar
Grangette, C, Muller-Alouf, H, Goudercourt, D, Geoffroy, MC, Turneer, M & Mercenier, A (2001) Mucosal immune responses and protection against tetanus toxin after intranasal immunization with recombinant Lactobacillus plantarum. Infection and Immunity 69, 15471553.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gunston, KD & Fairbrother, PF (1975) Treatment of vaginal discharge with yoghurt. South African Medical Journal 49, 675676.Google ScholarPubMed
Hallen, A, Jarstrand, C & Pahlson, C (1992) Treatment of bacterial vaginosis with lactobacilli. Sexually Transmitted Diseases 19, 146148.Google ScholarPubMed
Hatakka, K, Savilahti, E, Ponka, A, Meurman, JH, Poussa, T, Nase, L, Saxelin, M & Korpela, R (2001) Effect of long term consumption of probiotic milk on infections in children attending day care centres: double-blind, randomised trial. British Medical Journal 322, 13271329.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hilker, E, Stoll, R & Domschke, W (1996) 13C-urea breath test for detection of Helicobacter pylori and its correlation with endoscopic and histiologic findings. Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 47, 7990.Google Scholar
Hilton, E, Isenberg, HD, Alperstein, P, France, K & Borenstein, MT (1992) Ingestion of yoghurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus as prophylaxis for Candidal vaginitis. Annals of Internal Medicine 116, 353357.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kabir, AMA, Aiba, Y, Takagi, A, Kamiya, S, Miwa, T & Koga, Y (1997) Prevention of Helicobacter pylori infection by lactobacilli in a gnotobiotic murine model. Gut 41, 4955.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Karkut, G (1984) Wirkung einer Lactobazillus-Immuntherapie auf die Genitalinfektion der Frau (Solco Trichovac/Gynatren) (Effect of lactobacillus immunotherapy on genital infections in women (Solco Trichovac/Gynatren)). Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkunde 44, 311314.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lykova, EA, Vorob'ev, AA, Bokovoi, AG, Pobedinskaia, IN, Gevondian, VS & Gevondian, NM (1996) Effect of lactobacilli and antibiotics on E coli urinary infections in mice. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin 191, 8893.Google Scholar
McGroarty, JA & Reid, G (1988) Detection of a lactobacillus substance that inhibits Escherichia coli. Canadian Journal of Microbiology 34, 974978.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Michetti, P, Dorta, G, Wiesel, PH, Brassart, D, Verdu, E, Herranz, M, Felley, C, Porta, N, Rouvet, M, Blum, AL & Corthésy-Theulaz, I (1999) Effect of whey-based culture supernatant of Lactobacillus acidophilus (johnsonii) La 1 on Helicobacter pylori infection in humans. Digestion 60, 203209.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Moineau, S & Goulet, J (1997) Effect of feeding fermented milks on the pulmonary macrophage activity in mice. Milchwissenschaft 46, 551554.Google Scholar
Mrda, Z, Zivanovic, M, Rasic, J, Gajin, S, Somer, L, Trbojevic, S, Majoros, J & Petrovic, Z (1998) Terapija Helicobacter pylori infekcije primenom Lactobacillusa acidohpilus (Therapy of Helicobacter pylori infection using Lactobacillus acidophilus). Meditsinski Pregled 51, 343345.Google ScholarPubMed
Oakey, HJ, Harry, DWS & Knox, KW (1995) Enzyme production by lactobacilli and the potential link with endocarditis. Journal of Applied Bacteriology 78, 142148.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Parent, D, Bossens, M, Bayot, D, Kirkpatrick, C, Graf, F, Wilkinson, FE & Kaiser, RR (1996) Therapy of bacterial vaginosis using exogenously-applied Lactobacilli acidophili and a low dose of estriol: a placebo-controlled multicentric clinical trial. Arzneimittelforschung 46, 6873.Google Scholar
Perri, F, Clemente, R, Pastore, M, Quitadamo, M, Festa, V, Bisceglia, M, Li Bergoli, M, Lauriola, G, Leandro, G, Ghoos, Y, Rutgeerts, P & Andriulli, A (1998) The 13C-urea breath test as a predictor of intragastric bacterial load and severity of Helicobacter pylori gastritis. Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigations 58, 1927.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Piarroux, R, Millon, L, Bardonnet, K, Vagner, O & Koenig, H (1999) Are live saccharomyces yeasts harmful to patients? Lancet 353, 18511852.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rautio, M, Jousimies-Somer, H, Kauma, H, Pietarinen, I, Saxelin, M, Tynkkynen, S & Koskela, M (1999) Liver abscess due to a Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain indistinguishable from L rhamnosus strain GG. Clinical Infectious Diseases 28, 11591160.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Reid, G (2001) Probiotic agents to protect the urogenital tract against infection. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 73, Suppl. 2, 437S444S.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Reid, G & Bruce, AW (1995) Low vaginal pH and urinary-tract infection. Lancet 346, 1704.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Reid, G, Bruce, AW, Fraser, N, Heinemann, C, Owen, J & Henning, B (2001) Oral probiotics can resolve urogenital infections. FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology 30, 4952.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Reid, G, Tieszer, C & Lam, D (1995) Influence of lactobacilli on the adhesion of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans to fibers and epithelial cells. Journal of Industrial Microbiology 15, 248253.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rogasi, PG, Vigano, S, Pecile, P & Leoncini, F (1998) Lactobacillus casei pneumonia and sepsis in a patient with AIDS. Case report and review of the literature. Annali Italani de Medicina Interna 13, 180182.Google Scholar
Saxelin, M, Chuang, NH, Chassy, B, Rautelin, H, Salminen, S & Gorbach, SL (1996) Lactobacilli and bacteremia in Southern Finland, 1989–1992. Clinical Infectious Diseases 22, 564566.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schrezenmeir, J & de Vrese, M (2001) Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics – approaching a definition. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 73, suppl, 361S364S.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Shalev, E, Battino, S, Weiner, E, Colodner, R & Keness, Y (1996) Ingestion of yoghurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus compared with pasteurized yoghurt as prophylaxis for recurrent candidal vaginitis and bacterial vaginosis. Archives of Family Medicine 5, 593596.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Silva de Ruiz, C, Lopez de Bocanera, ME, Nader de Macias, ME & Pesce de Ruiz Holgado, AA (1996) Effect of lactobacilli and antibiotics on E coli urinary infections in mice. Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin 19, 8893.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tomoda, T, Nakano, Y & Kageyama, T (1988) Intestinal Candida overgrowth and Candida infection in patients with leukemia: effect of Bifidobacterium administration. Bifidobactera and Microflora 7, 7174.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Velraeds, MM, van der Mei, HC, Reid, G & Busscher, HJ (1996) Inhibition of initial adhesion of uropathogenic Enterococcus faecalis by biosurfactants from Lactobacillus isolates. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 62, 19581963.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Yamazaki, S, Kamimura, H, Momose, H, Kawashima, T & Ueda, K (1982) Protective effect of Bifidobacterium-monoassociation against lethal activities of Escherichia coli. Bifidobactera and Microflora 1, 5559.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yasui, H, Shida, K, Matsuzaki, T & Yokokura, T (1999) Immunomodulatory function of lactic acid bacteria. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 76, 383389.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed