Milk is a complex physiological liquid that simultaneously provides nutrients and bioactive components that facilitate the successful postnatal adaptation of the newborn infant by stimulating cellular growth and digestive maturation, the establishment of symbiotic microflora, and the development of gut-associated lymphoid tissues. The number, the potency, and the importance of bioactive compounds in milk and especially in fermented milk products are probably greater than previously thought. They include certain vitamins, specific proteins, bioactive peptides, oligosaccharides, organic (including fatty) acids. Some of them are normal milk components, others emerge during digestive or fermentation processes. Fermented dairy products and probiotic bacteria decrease the absorption of cholesterol. Whey proteins, medium-chain fatty acids and in particular calcium and other minerals may contribute to the beneficial effect of dairy food on body fat and body mass. There has been growing evidence of the role that dairy proteins play in the regulation of satiety, food intake and obesity-related metabolic disorders. Milk proteins, peptides, probiotic lactic acid bacteria, calcium and other minerals can significantly reduce blood pressure. Milk fat contains a number of components having functional properties. Sphingolipids and their active metabolites may exert antimicrobial effects either directly or upon digestion.

• MeSH
• Fermentation * MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Milk, Human * MeSH
• Dairy Products * MeSH
• Milk * MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Food MeSH
• Health * MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

A total of 142 human and 88 calf bifidobacteria were isolated and identified; approximately 12 % of all isolated strains exhibited auto-aggregation (Agg) phenotype (Agg+). Properties considered to be predicting for their adhesion to intestine, i.e. auto-aggregation, and hydrophobicity were determined by xylene extraction in 18 human and 8 calf origin bifidobacteria. Co-aggregation of 8 human bifidobacteria with 8 clostridia was also evaluated. Agg varied between 16.3 and 96.4 %, hydrophobicity values ranged from 0 to 82.8 %. The strongest Agg and hydrophobicity were observed in B. bifidum and B. merycicum isolates. However, there were no statistically significant correlations between these two properties. Variability in the percentage of Agg and hydrophobicity was observed after cultivation of bifidobacteria on different carbon sources. All bifidobacteria showed co-aggregation ability with clostridia tested but there were remarkable differences depending on specific combinations of strains. The bifidobacterial strains with the highest ability to co-aggregate with clostridia were B. bifidum I4 and B. longum I10 isolated from infants; these strains gave also high values of Agg. Agg properties together with co-aggregation ability with potential pathogen can be used for preliminary selection of probiotic bacteria.

• MeSH
• Bacterial Adhesion * MeSH
• Bifidobacterium classification   growth & development   isolation & purification   physiology   MeSH
• Clostridium growth & development   isolation & purification   physiology   MeSH
• Feces microbiology   MeSH
• Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions MeSH
• Culture Media MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Surface Properties MeSH
• Cattle MeSH
• Intestines microbiology   MeSH
• Carbon metabolism   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Cattle MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Culture Media MeSH
• Carbon MeSH

Twenty-eight exclusively breast-fed healthy infants and 16 infants also exclusively breast-fed with allergic colitis (aged 85 +/- 60 and 98 +/- 58 d, respectively) were screened for differences in fecal flora. Bifidobacteria were detected in 23 healthy infants and only in 4 fecal samples of infants with allergic colitis. All bifidobacteria-free infants possessed Gram-positive regular rods as a major group of their fecal flora. These bacteria were identified as clostridia using genus-specific FISH probe. Infants with allergy colitis possessed significantly lower counts of bifidobacteria and total anaerobes and significantly higher counts of clostridia in their feces. In healthy infants, Bifidobacterium longum was the most frequently found species (54.5% of the samples), followed by B. adolescentis (20.0), B. breve (18.2), B. bifidum (16.4), B. dentium (10.9) and B. pseudocatenulatum (1.80). Bifidobacterial isolates from two babies with allergic colitis were identified as B. longum, one child from patients group contained species B. dentium and one baby B. adolescentis. Our results suggest that there are significantly lower counts of bifidobacteria in infants with allergic colitis than in healthy infants.

• MeSH
• Hypersensitivity microbiology   MeSH
• Bacteria, Anaerobic classification   genetics   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Bifidobacterium classification   genetics   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Feces microbiology   MeSH
• Gram-Positive Bacteria classification   genetics   isolation & purification   MeSH
• In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence MeSH
• Infant MeSH
• Breast Feeding MeSH
• Colitis microbiology   MeSH
• Culture Media MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Colony Count, Microbial MeSH
• Intestines microbiology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Infant MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Comparative Study MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Culture Media MeSH

The intestinal environment accommodates a wide range of contents ranging from harmless beneficial dietary and microbial flora to harmful pathogenic bacteria. This has resulted in the development of highly adapted epithelial cells lining the intestine. This adaptation involves the potential of crypt cells to proliferate and to constantly replace villous cells that are lost due to maturity or death. As a result, the normal intestinal epithelial integrity and functions are maintained. This phenomenon is eminent in intestinal defense whereby the intestinal epithelial cells serve as a physical barrier against luminal agents. The protection against agents in the gut lumen can only be effective if the epithelium is intact. Restitution of the damaged epithelium is therefore crucial in this type of defense.

• MeSH
• Antibiosis * MeSH
• Bacteria * growth & development   pathogenicity   MeSH
• Bacterial Infections microbiology   prevention & control   MeSH
• Caco-2 Cells MeSH
• Epithelial Cells immunology   metabolism   microbiology   MeSH
• Gastrointestinal Diseases microbiology   prevention & control   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Probiotics * MeSH
• Heat-Shock Proteins metabolism   MeSH
• Intestines cytology   immunology   microbiology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Heat-Shock Proteins MeSH

DNA fingerprinting methods, RAPD with 7 random primers, and rep-PCR using both BOXA1R and (GTG)(5) ones, were used for the discrimination of 16 type and collection Bifidobacterium strains of 9 species of human origin, B. animalis ssp. animalis and B. animalis ssp. lactis and 7 Bifidobacterium strains collected in the Culture Collection of Dairy Microorganisms (CCDM). Both RAPD and rep-PCR methods provided similar results. The strains were identified as B. animalis ssp. lactis (6 strains) and B. adolescentis (1 strain). The reclassification of the collection strain CCM 3761 as B. pseudocatenulatum species (previously classified as B. adolescentis) was confirmed.

• MeSH
• Bifidobacterium classification   genetics   isolation & purification   MeSH
• DNA, Bacterial genetics   MeSH
• DNA Fingerprinting methods   MeSH
• Phylogeny MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Polymerase Chain Reaction methods   MeSH
• Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique methods   MeSH
• Bacterial Typing Techniques methods   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• DNA, Bacterial MeSH

A rat animal model of left colostomy was found to significantly impair the growth curve of rats. Assessment of the intestinal flora showed that colostomy mostly affects the cecal but not colonic microflora. Generally, the number of enterococci was increased in both ileum and cecum; cecal lactobacilli also rose, accounting for a promotion of lactic acid bacteria in colostomised rats. No significant differences between colostomised, laparotomised and control rats could be observed for the translocation of intestinal bacteria to internal organs of rats (i.e. spleen, kidneys, lungs or liver), whatever their diet. Heat-killed Lactobacillus acidophilus strain LB administration (dead probiotic bacteria) tended to exhibit a stimulatory effect on bifidobacteria, probably affecting the culture-medium fermentation substances included in the pharmaceutical product. This effect was abolished by laparotomy and colostomy. A trend towards a probiotic-like effect, not susceptible to colostomy, was also witnessed as counts of lactobacilli tended to increase in both cecum and colon of all animals fed with L. acidophilus LB.

• MeSH
• Bacterial Translocation * MeSH
• Bacterial Physiological Phenomena * MeSH
• Colostomy adverse effects   MeSH
• Rats MeSH
• Lactobacillus acidophilus metabolism   MeSH
• Models, Animal MeSH
• Colonic Diseases microbiology   surgery   MeSH
• Rats, Wistar MeSH
• Intestines microbiology   MeSH
• Hot Temperature MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Rats MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Enterococci isolated from 28 different commercially available feeds (10-1000 CFU/mL) were identified and their probiotic potential was determined. Species identification of 22 selected strains was performed by intergenic length-polymorphism analysis (tRNA-PCR); PCR products were analyzed using capillary electrophoresis. Six strains were allotted to the species Enterococcus faecium, four to E. faecalis, one to E. hirae; the remaining strains were not classed. The strains were sensitive to vancomycin, ampicillin, tetracycline and rifampicin. They were able to adhere to human as well as canine intestinal mucus. They produced lactic acid (0.99-1.04 mmol/L) and most of them were urease-positive with sufficient survival in 5 % Oxgall-bile. They did not show any inhibitory activity due to antimicrobial substances. Plasmid DNA was detected in 8 strains, the bands responding to small molecular size (10 kbp). Considering all probiotically important properties, E. faecium strain EE3 was suggested as potential feed additive.

• MeSH
• Anti-Bacterial Agents pharmacology   MeSH
• Bacterial Proteins metabolism   MeSH
• Enterococcus chemistry   drug effects   isolation & purification   metabolism   MeSH
• Animal Feed microbiology   MeSH
• Lactic Acid metabolism   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Probiotics chemistry   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Dogs MeSH
• Intestines microbiology   MeSH
• Urease metabolism   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Dogs MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Anti-Bacterial Agents MeSH
• Bacterial Proteins MeSH
• Lactic Acid MeSH
• Urease MeSH

The ability of surfactants obtained from three Lactobacillus acidophilus strains to inhibit Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis biofilms was evaluated. Their influence was determined on bacterial initial adhesion, biofilm formation and dispersal using MTT-reduction assay, confocal laser scanning microscopy and image PHLIP analysis. The number of adhering S. aureus and S. epidermidis cells after a 3-h co-incubation with biosurfactants was reduced by 5-56 % in a strain-and dose-dependent manner. S. epidermidis-and, to a lower extent, in S. aureus-biofilm formation was also inhibited in the presence of the tested surfactants. The addition of surfactants to preformed mature biofilms accelerated their dispersal, and changed the parameters of biofilm morphology. The L. acidophilus-derived surfactants inhibit bacterial deposition rate and biofilm development (and also its maturation) without affecting cell growth probably due to the influence on the cell-surface hydrophobicity of staphylococci.

• MeSH
• Bacterial Adhesion drug effects   MeSH
• Biofilms drug effects   growth & development   MeSH
• Lactobacillus acidophilus metabolism   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Surface-Active Agents metabolism   pharmacology   MeSH
• Staphylococcal Infections microbiology   MeSH
• Staphylococcus drug effects   isolation & purification   physiology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Surface-Active Agents MeSH

Twelve lactobacilli isolates from mucosa of 3-5-week-old weaned pigs were found to exert good antimicrobial activity against common porcine pathogens (S. aureus, B. cereus, E. coli, C. perfringens). Two of them produced in addition to lactic acid also considerable amounts of acetic acid, and 6 of them produced hydrogen peroxide and metabolites other than organic acids. Isolates 4/26 and 2/25 (identified as L. crispatus or L. amylovorus) were inhibitory against most strains of S. aureus, B. cereus and E. coli, and especially the strain 4/26 survived well in simulated gastric and intestinal juice. Diarrhea-causing E. coli O8K88H9 Ent(+) was successfully inhibited by the growing culture as well as by the catalase-treated and neutralized supernatant of L. reuteri 12/26. Mucin degradation and multiple resistance to antibiotics were not observed.

• MeSH
• Drug Resistance, Microbial MeSH
• Bacillus cereus drug effects   MeSH
• Clostridium perfringens drug effects   MeSH
• Escherichia coli drug effects   MeSH
• Feces microbiology   MeSH
• Ileum microbiology   MeSH
• Culture Media, Conditioned pharmacology   MeSH
• Culture Media chemistry   pharmacology   MeSH
• Lactic Acid pharmacology   MeSH
• Lactobacillus drug effects   isolation & purification   metabolism   MeSH
• Mucins metabolism   MeSH
• Swine Diseases prevention & control   MeSH
• Weaning MeSH
• Hydrogen Peroxide metabolism   MeSH
• Immunity, Innate MeSH
• Probiotics MeSH
• Staphylococcus aureus drug effects   MeSH
• Intestinal Mucosa microbiology   MeSH
• Sus scrofa microbiology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Culture Media, Conditioned MeSH
• Culture Media MeSH
• Lactic Acid MeSH
• Mucins MeSH
• Hydrogen Peroxide MeSH

Influence of intestinal colonization by a probiotic E. coli strain on the incidence of bacterial pathogens in stool and allergic symptoms during the 1st year of life was monitored in 3 groups: colonized children of allergic mothers (AC; n = 52), noncolonized children of allergic mothers (AN; n = 50), children of nonallergic mothers (NC; n = 42). Colinfant vaccine was administered within 2 d after birth, 3 x a week over a period of 4 weeks. Stool samples were examined after 2 d and at the age of 3, 6 and 12 months. At 3 months E. coli was present in 90 %, at 12 months in 73 % of AC. Pathogens were significantly less frequent on day 3 and at 3 months in AC vs. AN (15 vs. 61 %, p < 0.001; 15 vs. 38 %, p < 0.01) and vs. NC (15 vs. 63 %, p < 0.001; 15 vs. 53 %, p < 0.001). AC exhibited lower incidence of Staphylococcus epidermidis than AN on day 3 (6 vs. 31 %, p < 0.001) and of Klebsiella strains on day 3 and at 3 months (4 vs. 20 %, p < 0.05; 5 vs. 24 %, p < 0.01). AC showed a lower incidence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa than NC on day 3 (6 vs. 31 %, p < 0.01) and Klebsiella spp. on day 3 and at 3 months (4 vs. 22 %, p < 0.05; 5 vs. 45 %, p < 0.001). No significant differences were recorded after 6 and 12 months. The incidence of allergies was 3 % in AC, 26 % in AN (p < 0.01), and 10 % in NC.

• MeSH
• Hypersensitivity etiology   prevention & control   MeSH
• Administration, Oral MeSH
• Bacterial Infections complications   microbiology   prevention & control   MeSH
• Escherichia coli * MeSH
• Incidence MeSH
• Klebsiella isolation & purification   MeSH
• Infant MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Follow-Up Studies MeSH
• Intestinal Diseases complications   microbiology   prevention & control   MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Carrier State MeSH
• Probiotics administration & dosage   MeSH
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolation & purification   MeSH
• Staphylococcus epidermidis isolation & purification   MeSH
• Intestines microbiology   MeSH
• Health Surveys * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Infant MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH