title: [Probiotics in veterinary medicine: a review].
abstract: The mammalian gastrointestinal tract is a complex consisting of the intestinal epithelial cells, the mucosal immune cells and the endogenous microflora. Since a couple of years, probiotics are used in animal production to improve performance. But there are only few results available on the immune modulating effects of pro- and prebiotics in human and veterinary medicine. Recent studies are promising that pro- and prebiotics can be used as an alternative to conventional therapy with immune suppressive drugs in patients with inflammatory bowel disease or dietary hypersensitivity. Yet further randomized and placebo-controlled studies are needed to clarify these mechanisms in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Universität Bern, Institut für Tierzucht, Tierernährung und Tierhaltung Abteilung Tierernährung und Physiologie, Bremgartenstr. 109a, 3012 Bern. stephanie.sauter@kkh.unibe.ch
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Sauter
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Blum
mesh_terms: D000820:Animal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000818:Animals; D004064:Digestive System / Q000382:microbiology; D019936:Probiotics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000379:methods*