title: Protective effects and mechanisms of a probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus rhamnosus against experimental Edwardsiella tarda infection in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).
abstract: In recent years, probiotics, especially lactic acid bacteria, have been used as dietary supplements to protect fish from various infections. Here, we examined the protective effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus against experimental Edwardsiella tarda infection in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Cumulative mortality was significantly lower in probiotic-supplemented fish than in control fish. In a histopathological survey, pyogranulomatous responses were observed at an earlier stage and to a greater extent in the probiotic-supplemented fish than in the control fish. Immunohistochemistry using an anti-E. tarda antibody revealed a larger number of positive signals in pyogranuloma-participating cells, indicating an enhanced phagocytic ability. Alternative complement activity was significantly higher in the probiotic groups than in the control. These results suggest that L. rhamnosus enhanced the alternative complement system of the fish, enabling phagocytic cell aggregation, increasing phagocytic activity and subsequently protecting the fish from acute septicemic death by E. tarda infection. Prevention of thymic necrosis by the probiotic supplement seems to minimize immunosuppression and to initiate an immune response against edwardsiellosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
authors.forename: Nopadon
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pirarat
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Katagiri
authors.forename: Masashi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maita
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Endo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003170:Complement Pathway, Alternative / Q000276:immunology; D020609:Edwardsiella tarda / Q000276:immunology*; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D052201:Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus / Q000276:immunology*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D009113:Muramidase / Q000097:blood; D019936:Probiotics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D017210:Tilapia
chemical_list: D009113:Muramidase