Lactobacillus casei induces protection against B. microti

[Guest guest]

Parasitol Res. 2005 Sep 17; [Epub ahead of print]

The treatment of mice with Lactobacillus casei induces protection

against Babesia microti infection.

Bautista-Garfias CR, Gomez MB, Aguilar BR, Ixta O, ez F,

Mosqueda J.

CENID-PAVET, INIFAP Apdo, Postal 206, CIVAC, 62500, Estado de

Morelos, Mexico, bautista.carlos@....

In this study, we report that administration of Lactobacillus casei

confers protection to mice against the intracellular protozoan

Babesia microti. Mice treated with L. casei orally or

intraperitoneally were inoculated 7 days later with an infectious

dose of B. microti. Mice treated with lactobacilli showed

significant reduction in the percentage of parasitized erythrocytes

(PPE) compared to untreated mice. When mice were inoculated

intraperitoneally with L. casei 3 or 0 days before challenge with B.

microti, the PPE was significantly lower compared to untreated mice

and there were no differences between treated mice and mice immune

to B. microti infection. When mice treated with live or dead L.

casei were compared to mice inoculated with Freund Complete Adjuvant

before a B. microti infection, a significant reduction of PPE was

observed. These results show the protective effect of L. casei

administered to mice against a B. microti infection and suggest that

it might act by stimulating the innate immune system.

PMID: 16170567 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]