Combining Probiotic and Antibiotic to Fight Salmonella
Author Information
Author(s): Truusalu Kai, Mikelsaar Raik-Hiio, Naaber Paul, Karki Tõnis, Kullisaar Tiiu, Zilmer Mihkel, Mikelsaar Marika
Primary Institution: University of Tartu, Estonia
Hypothesis
Can the probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 combined with fluoroquinolone therapy eradicate Salmonella Typhimurium infection and improve oxidative stress indices?
Conclusion
The combination of the probiotic L. fermentum ME-3 and ofloxacin effectively eradicated Salmonella Typhimurium and reduced liver and spleen granulomas in a mouse model.
Supporting Evidence
- The combination treatment eradicated Salmonella Typhimurium from blood, ileum, and liver.
- Higher counts of intestinal lactobacilli were linked to fewer liver granulomas.
- The probiotic reduced oxidative stress indices in the ileum mucosa.
Takeaway
This study shows that a special probiotic can help antibiotics work better against a type of bacteria that causes typhoid fever.
Methodology
Mice were infected with Salmonella Typhimurium and treated with either ofloxacin, Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3, or their combination, followed by analysis of bacterial presence and oxidative stress indices.
Limitations
The study did not differentiate between the L. fermentum ME-3 strain and indigenous Lactobacillus strains present in the mice gut.
Participant Demographics
NIH line mice, aged 4 to 6 weeks.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.0032
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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