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Probiotics could prevent Listeria monocytogenes

Koo OK. PLoS One. 2012;7:e29277.

Issue: February 2012

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Researchers from Purdue University have discovered promising data for the use of recombinant probiotics in preventing Listeria monocytogenes infection in immunocompromised patients.

Using a Caco-2 cell culture model, the researchers investigated whether Listeria adhesion protein-expressing recombinant probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei (Lbp^LAP) would prevent L. monocytogenes.

The researchers found that pre-exposure to Lbp^LAP for 1, 4, 15 or 24 hours significantly (P<.05) reduced adhesion, invasion and transepithelial translocation of L. monocytogenes in Caco-2 cells by interacting with host cell receptor Hsp60, according to the study.

Results further indicated that L. monocytogenes translocation was reduced by 46% after 24 hours; L. monocytogenes-mediated cell cytotoxicity was reduced by 99.8% after 1 hour and 79% after 24 hours.

L. monocytogenes-mediated cell damage and compromise of tight junction integrity was prevented.

“The use of a recombinant probiotic carrying the [Listeria adhesion protein] could be considered an oral vaccine to help reduce L. monocytogenes infection in high-risk populations,” the researchers wrote. “Furthermore, the application of such a recombinant probiotic bacterium would have a twofold advantage: direct antimicrobial effect against the target pathogen through the expression of the foreign gene and indirect general health benefits through consumption of probiotics.”

Disclosure: This research received funding from the US Department of Agriculture (Project number 1935-42000-035).

Herbert L. DuPont, MD

In this study, a recombinant probiotic bacteria expressing Listeria adhesion protein was able to prevent L. monocytogenes infection in vitro. There is renewed interest in probiotics as we learn more about metagenomics and the microbiome. Listeria is a major cause of foodborne infection. Understanding more about the pathogenesis of Listeria infection could eventually be useful in controlling this disease.

- Herbert L. DuPont, MD

Infectious Disease News Editorial Board member

Disclosure: Dr. DuPont reports no relevant financial disclosures.

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