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Aims: Probiotics have the ability to enhance the immune system, produce anti‐inflammatory action and promote wound healing process. The first aim of the study was to isolate pathogenic micro‐organisms from sites of chronic ulcerative lesion. The second aim was to evaluate probiotic efficacy of SYNBIO® (1:1 combination of Lactobacillus rhamnosus IMC 501® and Lactobacillus paracasei IMC 502®) in counteracting wound infections. Methods and Results: Several bacterial pathogens were isolated from chronic ulcerative lesions and identified by morphological, biochemical and molecular techniques. SYNBIO® probiotic formulation was investigated for its antimicrobial activity, minimum inhibitory concentration, co‐aggregation and adherence capacity against the isolated pathogens. Moreover, SYNBIO was also tested in combination with some medical devices, using an in vitro model, in order to simulate a real ulcerative wound infection. Probiotic formulation demonstrated an inhibitory action against all the tested pathogens and their mixture (MIX), with an increased ability of co‐aggregation during time. In addition, the adhesion percentage of probiotic micro‐organisms to human keratinocyte (HaCaT cells) and human fibroblasts (NHF), calculated by an in vitro model, was 19% and 17% respectively, highlighting the possibility to create a protective environment preventing pathogens' biofilm formation in order to contrast infections. Conclusions: SYNBIO® probiotics showed a very good antimicrobial capacity and adhesion percentage to HaCaT cells and fibroblasts, giving the opportunity to be successfully used as complement to conventional therapies in the treatment of chronic ulcerative lesions. Significance and Impact of the Study: A new therapeutic approach with probiotics (supplemented in topical applications, excluding side effects) able to eliminate pathogenic micro‐organisms and improve healing of chronic ulcerative lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: There is interest in using probiotics such as Lactobacillus species to control canine intestinal infections. The bacterial species should be of canine intestinal origin exhibiting host specificity. Bacterial strains were isolated from dog faecal samples and characterized to select specific probiotics as dietary supplements in feed, promoting health status. Methods and Results: Bacterial strains have been screened for their probiotic properties including survival to gastric and pancreatic juices and bile salts, resistance to antibiotics and antipathogenicity. Five of 14 isolated Lactobacillus strains were tolerant to gastric stress. They were also resistant to clindamycin and with a significant antimicrobial capacity towards the pathogenic strains tested, variable according to the strain. They were identified by morphological and molecular characterization comparing the 16S rRNA gene sequence with the blast database. Three strains were identified as Lactobacillus reuteri and two as Lactobacillus johnsonii. Sugar fermentation profiles and adhesion to HT29 epithelial cells have been in vitro verified on L. reuteri AI, chosen as probiotic candidate. Resistance to freeze‐drying, production and subsequent in vivo administration evaluating strain permanence, were also performed. No loss of vitality has been recorded due to the freeze‐drying process. The average value of recovery percentage of L. reuteri AI at the end of the administration period and after 1 week of follow‐up was respectively 26·7 and 17·4% of the total Lactobacillus sp. Conclusions: Among several selected probiotic strains, L. reuteri AI proved to be the best probiotic candidate to use as a supplement for dogs. Significance and Impact of the Study: Control of intestinal pathogenic micro‐organisms in dogs is a growing concern and the selection of autochthonous probiotic bacterial strains to overcome some of the gut problems associated with the modern domestication of animals is a valuable tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The types and methods of use of antibiotics in poultry farms in Cameroon, residual levels and potential microbial resistance were determined. 2. A questionnaire-based survey identified the different antibiotics used and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine residual levels of antibiotics. 3. Pathogens were isolated, identified by use of commercial API kits and minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) was determined. 4. Oxytetracyclin, tylocip and TCN (oxytetracycline, chloramphenicol and neomycin) were the most frequently used antibiotics. Antibiotics screened by HPLC were chloramphenicol, tetracycline and vancomycin. All of them except vancomycin were detected, and the concentration of these antibiotics was higher than the maximum residual limits (MRL) set by regulatory authorities. 5. No residues of various antibiotics were found in egg albumen or yolk. The concentration of tetracycline was significantly higher in liver (150 ± 30 µg/g) than in other tissues. 6. Foodborne pathogens, including Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus spp., Listeria spp., Clostridium spp. and Escherichia spp., were identified. Most of the pathogens were resistant to these various antibiotics tested. 7. These findings imply the need for better management of antibiotic use to control sources of food contamination and reduce health risks associated with the presence of residues and the development of resistant pathogens by further legislation and enforcement of regulations on food hygiene and use of antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Probiotic lactobacilli have a great potential to produce antimicrobial compounds that inhibit and control the microbial pathogen growth. The antimicrobial and antifungal activities of two probiotic strains, Lactobacillus rhamnosus IMC 501® and Lactobacillus paracasei IMC 502®, and their 1 : 1 combination, named SYNBIO®, were studied using four different methods. Methods and Results Using two modified streak methods and a well diffusion method, the inhibitory activity of the probiotics and their metabolites towards six Gram-positive, nine Gram-negative pathogenic bacterial strains and eight Candida strains was tested. Antagonistic effect of probiotic Lactobacillus strains was also investigated by coculturing assay highlighting a significant inhibition of most of the pathogens tested in this study. The combination SYNBIO® showed a microbicidal activity against most of the strains tested in the study. Conclusions Compared with the control, most of the pathogenic bacteria and yeast were inhibited by all probiotic strains tested to various degrees. Significance and Impact of the Study Screening Lactobacillus strains according to their activity in various environmental conditions could precede the clinical efficacy studies for adjunct treatment with probiotics in cure of different gastrointestinal and vaginal tract infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional foods (FFs) provide benefits beyond basic nutrition and play a role in reducing the risk of certain diseases. FFs may also be designed to improve performances and healthy status of athletes. This study investigated young Italian athletes awareness and consumption of FFs, and the effect of a synbiotic fermented milk enriched with probiotics and oat bran, on gut microbiota and on upper respiratory tract. Data collection from the knowledge and acceptance study was performed through a questionnaire, developed and administered on 164 athletes. The effects of a synbiotic functional food were studied by a preliminary intervention study on 10 healthy volunteers following an intense gym-training program. Faeces were collected for microbiological and molecular analysis before and at the end of the 4 weeks consumption, while saliva and spit were collected at the same time points for lipid peroxidation and secretory IgA detection. Data obtained from the knowledge and acceptance study indicated that only 17% of the young Italian athletes were familiar with the term "functional food" although the respondents were aware of the link between diet and health. In the human trial, the synbiotic group showed a significant increase of Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp., a significant improvement in intestinal regularity, ease of defecation and in upper respiratory symptoms after the consumption. The data support the hypothesis that an adequate synbiotic supplementation can improve gut health, oxidative status and mucosal immunity with beneficial effects on wellbeing of active people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work is to evaluate the potential contribution of synbiotics in controlling allergic symptoms to house dust mite (HDM) in humans. Thirty subjects were recruited on the basis of their allergy to HDM. A susceptibility allergenic individual test using the Bordignon-Parmiani method was carried out before and after a sixmonths synbiotic treatment. The allergic symptomatology, bowel well-being and the health related quality of life (General Well-Being Index) were evaluated at the end of the treatment by using questionnaires. The persistence of SYNBIO® probiotic strains in the gastrointestinal tract of a cohort of 15 subjects was checked. The subjects showed a significant reduction (P<0.05) of wheal areas after the six-months period treatment. Seventeen subjects out of 30 showed a significant reduction of sensitization (P<0.05) to HDM allergens. The questionnaires showed positive effects of synbiotic treatment together with a reduction of allergy symptomatology. The persistence of probiotic strains in the gastrointestinal tract checked by the recovery of probiotic bacteria from the faeces of a cohort of 15 subjects was demonstrated. The administration of synbiotic treatment on subjects with HDM allergy determined a reduction of sensitization and symptomatology given a sensation of "feeling good". This is a first study that evaluates the potential of new dietary supplements based on synbiotics for allergy prevention and treatment to HDM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]