UoH study highlights probiotic’s potential against intestinal infections
Hyderabad, July 16 (TNT) : Researchers at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) have identified the therapeutic potential of the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus johnsonii in combating enteric bacterial infections, offering a possible alternative to antibiotics.
The findings have been published in the international journal Frontiers in Immunology, a Q1 journal with an impact factor of 7, in a paper titled “Multifunctional antimicrobial effects of Lactobacillus johnsonii against A/E pathogens Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and Citrobacter rodentium.”
The study was led by Dr. Vijay Morampudi of the Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad.
According to the researchers, the study demonstrates that Lactobacillus johnsonii exhibits multiple antimicrobial properties against the clinically significant attaching-and-effacing (A/E) pathogens Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and Citrobacter rodentium, both of which are associated with intestinal infections.
The researchers found that the probiotic inhibits pathogen growth and biofilm formation through the production of antimicrobial compounds, competition for nutrients and intestinal attachment sites, and improved colonisation of the gut mucosa.
The study suggests that Lactobacillus johnsonii could serve as a probiotic-based therapeutic strategy for managing enteric infections and reducing dependence on antibiotics, particularly among vulnerable populations.
The research paper was authored by Sai Madhuri Vasamsetti, Yasaswi Khaderbad, Novelina Sarmah, Hari Naga Papa Rao Atham, Pavan Kumar Pondugala, Venkata Ramana Chintalapati and Vijay Morampudi.
The publication is also the first research article from Dr. Morampudi’s laboratory, marking a significant milestone for the research group.
The study was supported by grants from the Institution of Eminence (IoE), University of Hyderabad, the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) and the University Grants Commission (UGC).
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