Microbiology & Immunology Publications
Title
Probiotics for mother and child.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-1994
Journal
International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation
Volume
34
Issue
1
First Page
73
Last Page
83
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.1016/0964-8305(95)00011-9
Abstract
The ability of a given organism to cause disease has generally been studied in isolation and with particular attention to a strain's virulence properties. However, pathogens initially emerge from a site where many organisms coexist. The present study was undertaken to determine to what extent the co-presence of lactobacillus strains influenced the adhesion of pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. A silicone latex substratum was used with a view to drawing correlations with urinary and peritoneal catheterization where infections are particularly problematic. The results showed that (i) the yeast adhesion was significantly reduced in the presence of staphylococci, and (ii) the staphylococci adhesion was significantly reduced when lactobacilli were (a) coincubated with the pathogens, (b) used to pretreat the device and (c) used as a displacement agent. The results suggest that certain indigenous organisms could act as probiotic therapeutics on polymer surfaces, and that further studies appear warranted. © 1995.