Expression of activation markers on peripheral-blood lymphocytes following oral administration of bacillus subtilis spores

Caruso, Arnaldo; Flamminio, Gigliola; Folghera, S; Peroni, L.; Foresti, I; Balsari, Andrea; Turano, A

doi:10.1016/0192-0561(93)90084-c

Cited by 19 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Because the vegetative forms are sensitive to bile salts one may assume their subsequent sporulation or lysis. It is possible that the spores themselves exert a probiotic effect by acting as stimulators and increasing local cell-mediated immunity (Caruso et al, 1993). However, our experiment did not show significant differences in either phagocytic activity or polyclonal activation of lymphocytes isolated from the peripheral blood of pigs.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 51%

A note on probiotics as an alternative for antibiotics in pigs

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Kováč²,

Pistl³

2005

J. Anim. Feed Sci.

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The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of the probiotic preparation BioPlus 2B, based on Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis, on daily weight gains, feed conversion, general health, and stimulation of phagocytosis and mitogenesis of lymphocytes in pigs. Administration of probiotics significantly affected body weight and slightly affected mean daily gains (6%) and feed conversion (12%) of the experimental pigs. Also important was the protective effect against diarrhoea. These results indicate that probiotics based on representatives of the genus Bacillus could replace antibiotic growth stimulators.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 51%

A note on probiotics as an alternative for antibiotics in pigs

Link

Kováč²,

Pistl³

2005

J. Anim. Feed Sci.

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“…It remains unclear whether spores or metabolically active bacteria are responsible for the observed changes in the intestinal immune system. However, previous reports have indicated that spores can be immunostimulatory and lead to increased expression of certain cell activation markers after oral administration, e.g., CD25 on peripheral-blood lymphocytes (Duc le et al, 2004;Caruso et al, 1993). It therefore seems likely that the observed immune stimulation in the probiotic group of piglets was triggered by microbial antigens.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Influence of the probiotic Bacillus cereus var. toyoi on the intestinal immunity of piglets

Scharek

Altherr

Tölke

et al. 2007

Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology

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In a feeding trial, sows and piglets were fed with the probiotic bacterium Bacillus cereus var. toyoi as a feed additive, and the effects on immune cell populations were examined. The development of the gut immune system was determined for piglets at the ages of 14, 28, 35 and 56 days post partum. Tissue samples of the Jejunum and the continuous Peyer's patch were used for enumeration of intraepithelial lymphocyte populations by fluorescence activated flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Both independent methods of investigation led to similar results: the population of intraepithelial CD8+ T cells was significantly enhanced in the probiotic group piglets (p< or =0.05), and the numbers of gammadelta T cells tended to be higher in the intestinal epithelium (p<0.1) at the time of weaning (day 28). Lamina propria lymphocytes were also influenced by the treatment. Application of B. cereus var. toyoi resulted in significantly more CD25+ lymphocytes and gammadelta T cells in the probiotic group post-weaning. The occurrence of pathogenic Escherichia coli serogroups was also less frequent in the feces of piglets from the probiotic group. The finding that the CD8+ T cell population in the intestinal mucosa showed changes on day 28 indicated that the influence of B. cereus var. toyoi supplementation on the intestinal immune system started before weaning, an observation supported by changes in the intestinal microflora observed during the suckling-period. The results suggest that feeding of B. cereus var. toyoi to sows may result in beneficial effects on piglet health status independent of their feed supplementation.

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“…However, it is also possible that the spore itself exerts an immunostimulatory effect which serves to exclude the colonization of the gut by harmful pathogens. A number of reports have shown that the spore is immunostimulatory and can elicit a number of cellular immune responses in the gastrointestinal tract (3,5,10,11). One final question our work raises is that of the fate of vegetative B. subtilis.…”

mentioning

confidence: 84%

Bacillus Probiotics: Spore Germination in the Gastrointestinal Tract

Casula

Cutting

2002

Appl Environ Microbiol

279

189

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Spores of Bacillus species are being used commercially as probiotics and competitive exclusion agents. Unlike the more commonly used Lactobacillus-type probiotics, spores are dormant life forms. To address how spore probiotics might function we have investigated whether spores can germinate in the gastrointestinal tract by using a murine model. Using a genetically engineered chimeric gene, ftsH-lacZ, which is strongly expressed only in vegetative cells, we have developed a sensitive competitive reverse transcription-PCR assay which has enabled detection of as few as 10 2 vegetative bacteria in the mouse gut. Using this method we have administered doses of ftsH-lacZ spores to groups of mice and shown that spores can germinate in significant numbers in the jejunum and ileum. The levels of detection we obtained suggest that spores may colonize the small intestine, albeit briefly.Bacterial spores are dormant life forms which can exist in a desiccated and dehydrated state indefinitely. The process of spore formation has been extensively studied as a simple model for understanding cellular differentiation and is one of the primary reasons for the interest in spores and spore formation (7). Intriguingly though, spores of Bacillus subtilis are being used as probiotics and competitive exclusion (CE) agents for both human and animal consumption (18). For humans they are available either as over-the-counter prophylactics for mild gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea or as health foods or nutritional supplements. In some countries though (e.g., Vietnam), bacterial spores are being used for oral bacteriotherapy of gastrointestinal disorders often under clinical supervision. In the agricultural industry spores are also receiving increasing attention as potential alternatives to antibiotics as growth promoters. The use of probiotics and/or CE agents seems likely to increase as public awareness of their potential benefits increases.While spores are being sold as probiotics, an important question is that of how spores act to enhance the normal microbial flora of the gastrointestinal tract. This question must be addressed, because the majority of probiotics currently available are bacteria which are non-spore formers: i.e., they are given as vegetative cells (usually as lyophilized preparations). The best-known examples of these probiotic bacteria are the lactobacilli and bifidobacteria (2,8,9). If probiotic bacteria are to be taken seriously then we would assume that they would share a common mechanism for enhancing the normal well-being of the gut microflora or for CE of potential pathogens. If there is no common mechanism shared between conventional Lactobacillus-type bacteria and the spore probiotics, then the question must be asked as to whether there is any credibility to some of the claims made about the positive benefits of probiotic bacteria (2, 12).Probiotics and CE agents are thought to enhance the gut microflora by preventing the colonization of the gastrointestinal tract by pathogenic bacteria. There are three...

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Expression of activation markers on peripheral-blood lymphocytes following oral administration of bacillus subtilis spores

Cited by 19 publications

References 9 publications

A note on probiotics as an alternative for antibiotics in pigs

A note on probiotics as an alternative for antibiotics in pigs

Influence of the probiotic Bacillus cereus var. toyoi on the intestinal immunity of piglets

Bacillus Probiotics: Spore Germination in the Gastrointestinal Tract

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