title: Eradication of Salmonella Typhimurium infection in a murine model of typhoid fever with the combination of probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 and ofloxacin.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the study was to detect whether in experimental Salmonella enterica Typhimurium infection the probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 in combination with fluoroquinolone therapy would eradicate S. Typhimurium, prevent the development of liver and spleen granulomas and improve the indices of oxidative stress in the ileum mucosa. The selected bacteriological, histological and biochemical methods were applied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Combined treatment with L. fermentum ME-3 and ofloxacin eradicated Salmonella Typhimurium from blood, ileum and liver, decreased the number of animals with liver and spleen granulomas and reduced the value of lipid peroxides in the ileum mucosa. Higher total counts of intestinal lactobacilli in all experimental groups were associated with the absence of liver granulomas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The antimicrobial and antioxidative probiotic L. fermentum ME-3 combined with ofloxacin enhances the eradication of experimental S. Typhimurium infection. These observations on probiotic and antimicrobial co-action may serve as basis to develop new strategies for treatment of invasive bacterial infections of the gut.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Tartu, Estonia. kai.truusalu@ut.ee
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Truusalu
authors.forename: Raik-Hiio
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Mikelsaar
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Naaber
authors.forename: Tõnis
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Karki
authors.forename: Tiiu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kullisaar
authors.forename: Mihkel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zilmer
authors.forename: Marika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mikelsaar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D052197:Limosilactobacillus fermentum / Q000502:physiology*; D008054:Lipid Peroxides / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D015242:Ofloxacin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000187:drug effects*; D013154:Spleen / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014435:Typhoid Fever / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D008054:Lipid Peroxides; D015242:Ofloxacin