Mini-Review: Probiotics and Disease Prevention in Different Host Systems.
Loading...
Date
2013-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This review details the success of different probiotic agents to provide protection in the host
from infection by pathogenic microbial agents. Probiotics are bacteria that interfere and kill
pathogens but the mechanisms employed by these agents in preventing infection and
disease vary from host to host. In this review the use of probiotics in evolutionary distinct
hosts are discussed. The early discovery of antibiotics (such as penicillin and streptomycin)
and newer generation drugs have played and continue to play vital roles in controlling
infections by pathogenic agents. The extensive and indiscriminate uses of antibiotics have
contributed to the survival of resistant microbial agents that cannot be controlled by
conventional antibiotics. The resistant strains damage cells, tissues and organs resulting in
injury and or death to the host. Probiotic agents block sites pathogenic agents need for
adherence to surfaces and simultaneously activates innate and adaptive components of the
immune system. The multipronged attack by probiotics are more efficient than just relying
on antibiotics to disrupt cell wall structures and or poison metabolic pathways in pathogenic
agents.
Description
Keywords
Probiotics, pathogens, antibiotics, resistant Strains
Citation
Bloch Earl F, Schultz Ronald D, Turner Willie. Mini-Review: Probiotics and Disease Prevention in Different Host Systems. British Microbiology Research Journal. 2013 Jan; 3(1): 42-57.