Lactobacillus rhamnosusGG Suppresses MeningiticE. coliK1 Penetration across Human IntestinalEpithelial Cells In Vitro and Protects Neonatal Ratsagainst Experimental Hematogenous Meningitis

[摘要] The purpose of this study was to examine prophylactic efficacy of probiotics in neonatal sepsis and meningitis caused byE. coliK1. The potential inhibitory effect ofLactobacillus rhamnosusGG (LGG) on meningiticE. coliK1 infection was examined by using (i) in vitro inhibition assays with E44 (a CSF isolate from a newborn baby withE. colimeningitis), and (ii) the neonatal rat model ofE. colisepsis and meningitis. The in vitro studies demonstrated that LGG blocked E44 adhesion, invasion, and transcytosis in a dose-dependent manner. A significant reduction in the levels of pathogen colonization,E. colibacteremia, and meningitis was observed in the LGG-treated neonatal rats, as assessed by viable cultures, compared to the levels in the control group. In conclusion, probiotic LGG strongly suppresses meningiticE. colipathogens in vitro and in vivo. The results support the use of probiotic strains such as LGG for prophylaxis of neonatal sepsis and meningitis.

[学科分类] 微生物学和免疫学