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Saccharomyces boulardii reduces the vertical transmission of Toxocara canis larvae in mice

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 March 2021

L.A.X. Cruz
Affiliation:
Postgraduate Program in Microbiology and Parasitology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
C.D. Hirsch
Affiliation:
Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences – Parasitology Laboratory, Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG), Academic Area of the University Hospital,Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
M.Q. de Moura
Affiliation:
Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences – Parasitology Laboratory, Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG), Academic Area of the University Hospital,Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
L.F.C. de Avila
Affiliation:
Postgraduate Program in Microbiology and Parasitology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
L.H.R. Martins
Affiliation:
Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences – Parasitology Laboratory, Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG), Academic Area of the University Hospital,Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
G.B. Klafke
Affiliation:
Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences – Parasitology Laboratory, Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG), Academic Area of the University Hospital,Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
F.R. Conceição
Affiliation:
Department of Biotechnology, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
M.E.A. Berne
Affiliation:
Postgraduate Program in Microbiology and Parasitology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
C.J. Scaini*
Affiliation:
Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences – Parasitology Laboratory, Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG), Academic Area of the University Hospital,Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
*
Author for correspondence: C.J. Scaini, E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Probiotics have been shown to reduce the intensity of Toxocara canis infection in mice. However, larval transmission of this nematode also occurs via transplacental and transmammary routes. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the Saccharomyces boulardii probiotic on the vertical transmission of T. canis in Swiss mice. The mice received 107S. boulardii colony-forming units per gram of food. The supplementation began 15 days before mating and was maintained throughout pregnancy and lactation. The animals were inoculated with 300 T. canis embryonated eggs on the 14th day of pregnancy. The presence of larvae was examined in the organs of the females and their offspring. The examined organs included the following: brain, liver, lungs, heart, kidneys, spleen, eye, skeletal muscle (carcass) and mammary glands of lactating females. There was a 42% (P = 0.041) reduction in the number of larvae transmitted to offspring in the group that received probiotic-supplemented food (GI). Additionally, there was a 50% reduction (P = 0.023) in the number of larvae found in the brains of lactating offspring in the GI group. These results reveal the potential of S. boulardii probiotic use as an auxiliary method of controlling visceral toxocariasis.

Type
Research Paper
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

*

Current address: Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG), Academic Area of the University Hospital – General Osório, s/n, CEP 96200-190, Centro, Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

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