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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]

This study aims to investigate the effect of different kinds of food products enriched with a combination of two potential probiotic strains, Lactobacillus rhamnosus IMC 501 and Lactobacillus paracasei IMC 502, on bowel habits of healthy adults. Fifty healthy volunteers took part in a double-blind placebo probiotic feeding study (25 fed probiotics, 25 fed placebo) for 12 weeks. Each volunteer ingested daily one or more food products enriched with a combination of the two potential probiotic strains (probiotic group) or the same food products without the probiotics (control group). Faecal samples were collected before, at the end and 2 weeks later the intervention period, and some of the main groups of faecal bacteria were enumerated by plate count and real-time PCR. Questionnaires on bowel habits were submitted to volunteers. After the intervention, a significant increase in faecal lactobacilli and bifidobacteria were observed in the probiotic group, and stool frequency and stool volume were higher in the probiotic group than in the placebo group. Daily consumption of food products enriched with the two potential probiotic strains, Lact. rhamnosus IMC 501 and Lact. paracasei IMC 502, contributes to improve intestinal microbiota with beneficial properties and enhances bowel habits of healthy adults. The study revealed that Lact. rhamnosus IMC 501 and Lact. paracasei IMC 502 exert a positive effect, in terms of improved bowel habits, on healthy adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

c. cecchini, m.c. verdenelli, c. orpianesi, g.m. dadea and a. cresci. 2004. The aims of the present study were to: (i) analyse a group of antimicrobial agents and to select the most active against test microbial strains; (ii) test the effect of the antimicrobial treatment on air filters in order to reduce microbial colonization. Different kinds of antimicrobial agents were analysed to assess their compatibility with the production process of air filter media. The minimal inhibitory concentration for each antimicrobial agent was determined against a defined list of microbial strains, and an antimicrobial activity assay of filter prototypes was developed to determine the most active agent among the compatible antimicrobials. Then, the most active was chosen and added directly to the filter during the production process. The microbial colonization of treated and untreated filter media was assessed at different working times for different incubation times by stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope analysis. Some of the antimicrobial agents analysed were more active against microbial test strains and compatible with the production process of the filter media. Filter sections analysis of treated filter media showed a significantly lower microbial colonization than those untreated, a reduction of species both in density and varieties and of the presence of bacteria and fungal hyphae with reproductive structures. This study demonstrated the ability of antimicrobial treatments to inhibit the growth of micro-organisms in filter media and subsequently to increase indoor air quality (IAQ), highlighting the value of adding antimicrobials to filter media. To make a contribution to solving the problem of microbial contamination of air filters, by demonstrating the efficacy of incorporating antimicrobial agents in the filter media to improve IAQ and health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]