Molecular insights into probiotic mechanisms of action employed against intestinal pathogenic bacteria

Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor and Francis
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, and in particular those caused by bacterial infections, are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Treatment is becoming increasingly difficult due to the increase in number of species that have developed resistance to antibiotics. Probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have considerable potential as alternatives to antibiotics, both in prophylactic and therapeutic applications. Several studies have documented a reduction, or prevention, of GI diseases by probiotic bacteria. Since the activities of probiotic bacteria are closely linked with conditions in the host’s GI-tract (GIT) and changes in the population of enteric microorganisms, a deeper understanding of gut-microbial interactions is required in the selection of the most suitable probiotic. This necessitates a deeper understanding of the molecular capabilities of probiotic bacteria. In this review, we explore how probiotic microorganisms interact with enteric pathogens in the GIT. The significance of probiotic colonization and persistence in the GIT is also addressed.
Description
CITATION: Van Zyl, W. F., Deane, S. M. & Dicks, L. M. T. 2020. Molecular insights into probiotic mechanisms of action employed against intestinal pathogenic bacteria. Gut Microbes, 12(1):e1831339, doi:10.1080/19490976.2020.1831339.
The original publication is available at https://www.tandfonline.com
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund
Keywords
Bacterial infections, Bacterial diseases -- Molecular aspects, Pathogenic bacteria, Disease germs, Probiotics, Gastrointestinal system -- Diseases, Gastrointestinal system -- Microbiology, Intestines -- Microbiology, Lactobacillus, Gastrointestinal tract, GIT, Probiotic supplements, Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Gastrointestinal system
Citation
Van Zyl, W. F., Deane, S. M. & Dicks, L. M. T. 2020. Molecular insights into probiotic mechanisms of action employed against intestinal pathogenic bacteria. Gut Microbes, 12(1):e1831339, doi:10.1080/19490976.2020.1831339