title: Antimicrobial activity of lactobacillus strains against uropathogens.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of lactobacillus probiotics has been proposed as an alternative to prophylactic antibiotics for preventing urinary tract infection (UTI) in the era of antibiotic resistance. In this study, the antimicrobial activity of lactobacillus strains against uropathogens, was evaluated and compared with that of antibiotics.
  
  
  METHODS
  To evaluate inhibitory activities of lactobacilli against uropathogens, six lactobacillus strains (L. gasseri, L. rhamnosus, L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. paracasei, L. acidophilus) and four representative uropathogens of infantile UTI (extended-spectrum beta-lactamase [ESBL](-) Escherichia coli, ESBL(+) E. coli, Proteus vulgaris, Enterococcus fecalis) were selected. Lactobacillus strain in vitro inhibition of each uropathogen was evaluated on MRS agar well diffusion assay and compared with that of commercial antibiotic discs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average inhibitory zone for each of the six lactobacillus strains against the four uropathogens showed slightly different but consistent inhibition (inhibitory zone diameter, 10.5-20.0 mm). This was different to that of the antibiotic discs, which had a wider range of inhibition (inhibitory zone diameter, <6.0-27.5 mm) depending on the uropathogen resistance pattern. The inhibitory zone of the six lactobacillus strains was between that of sensitive and resistant antibiotics (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lactobacillus strains had similar moderate antimicrobial activities against uropathogens. Further research is needed to ascertain the strains with the best probiotic potential.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Ewha Women's University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors: Yoon Hee
authors: YH
authors: Shim
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Ewha Women's University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors: Seung Joo
authors: SJ
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Ewha Women's University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. happymaniajw@hanmail.net.
authors: Jung Won
authors: JW
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D019936:Probiotics; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: antibiotic disc; inhibitory zone; lactobacillus; urinary tract infection; uropathogen