title: Lactobacillus GG does not affect D-lactic acidosis in diarrheic calves, in a clinical setting.
abstract: D-lactate, produced by gastrointestinal fermentation, is a major contributor to metabolic acidosis in diarrheic calves. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG survives gastrointestinal transit in the neonatal calf and does not produce D-lactate. To determine whether this probiotic reduces gastrointestinal D-lactate production or severity of diarrhea or both, 48 calves (mean, 11 days old; range, 2-30 days) admitted to the clinic for treatment of diarrhea were randomly allocated to 2 groups. The experimental group was given Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (1 x 10(11) cfu/d) PO, dissolved in milk or oral electrolyte solution, in addition to clinic treatment protocols; the other group served as a control. Serum and fecal samples were obtained at admission and at 24 and 48 hours after initial administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. All samples were analyzed for D- and L-lactate by using high-pressure liquid chromatography. Feces were also analyzed for pathogens, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG recovery, and dry matter. D-lactic acidemia (>3 mmol/L) was present in 37/48 calves at admission. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG was recovered in the feces of 13 experimental calves and 0 control calves 24 hours after administration. No difference in serum or fecal D- or L-lactate between the groups was detected at any time point. After therapy, D-lactic acidosis was absent at 48 hours in all but 1 calf. No relation between fecal pathogen (viral, bacterial, or protozoal) and degree of D-lactic acidosis was observed. The reduction in mortality and greater fecal dry matter in Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG-treated calves was not statistically significant.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
authors.forename: Julia B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Ewaschuk
authors.forename: Gordon A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Zello
authors.forename: Jonathan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Naylor
mesh_terms: D000140:Acidosis, Lactic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000662:veterinary; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D052201:Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus / Q000145:classification*; D008297:Male; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015532:Rehydration Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015532:Rehydration Solutions; D019344:Lactic Acid