Modulation of delayed-type hypersensitivity and acquired cellular resistance by orally administered viable indigenous lactobacilli in Listeria monocytogenes infected Wistar rats.
OBJECTIVE
Various probiotic lactobacilli have been reported to modulate immunity. In this study we investigate the effects of viable indigenous Lactobacillus strains Utr-1, Utr-2 and Utr-3, on T cell-mediated immunological memory responses.


RESULTS
In Listeria monocytogenes infected rats it was demonstrated that short-term daily ingestion of Lactobacillus strain Utr-3 significantly decreased delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) expression, whereas long-term, daily oral administration of Lactobacillus strain Utr-3 and Lactobacillus strain Utr-2 significantly enhanced acquired cellular resistance (ACR) towards Listeria re-infection.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings demonstrate that certain indigenous Lactobacillus strains are capable of modulating T cell-mediated immunity.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results support the importance of indigenous microflora analysis in probiotic lactobacilli studies.
de Waard
R
R
Department of the Science of Food of Animal Origin, Utrecht University, PO Box 80175, 3508 TD Utrecht, the Netherlands. dewaard@hi.nl
Garssen
J
J
Vos
J G
JG
Claassen
E
E
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D005856:Germ-Free Life; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology*; D007156:Immunologic Memory / Q000276:immunology; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*