The Attachment of Bacteria to the Gastric Epithelium of the Pig and its Importance in the Microecology of the Intestine

Abstract

Some characteristics of the association between lactic acid bacteria and pig squamous epithelial cells were studied. Strains from several sources were tested for adhesion in vitro but only those from pigs and chickens attached. The adhesion rate of pig isolates was very variable and, of the isolates tested, strains of Lactobacillus fermentum and Streptococcus salivarius attached in largest numbers. These strains were selected for further study. They did not attach to columnar epithelial cells from the small and large intestine. Adhesion was reduced by sodium periodate or protease. Both strains had a microcapsule with fibrils which stained with ruthenium red. The adhesive bond between lactobacilli and squamous tissue was strong enough to resist washing 50 times but there was a persistent release of bacteria during the washing process. When the strains of both species or of L. fermentum alone were fed to artificially reared pigs there was a statistically significant reduction in the numbers of Escherichia coli in the stomach.

Surface Properties of Lactobacillus Strains of Human Origin

“…Adhesion of lactobacilli to the cells of host organisms has been shown to be host speci c (25). It seems to be also probable in light of our experiments with vaginal and intestinal cell lines that lactobacilli can express organ speci city by recognizing different receptor epitopes.…”

Adhesion to porcine squamous epithelium of saccharide and protein moieties of Lactobacillus fermentum strain 104-S

“…The involvement of polysaccharide in adhesion of lactobacilli to porcine squamous gastric cells has been suggested previously (Barrow et al, 1980), because the lectin concanavalin A inhibited binding of lactobacilli to the porcine cells. In other lactobacillus-host systems, carbohydrates have been suggested to be involved in the adhesion both to murine stomach epithelium (Savage, 1972) and to the chicken crop (Brooker & Fuller, 1975).…”

“…In addition, carbohydrates were described as the determinant responsible for mediating adhesion of Lactobacillus sp. to squamous epithelial cells (Barrow et al, 1980). A proteinaceous component has been shown to mediate adhesion of an L. fermentum strain to rodent squamous cells in vitro (Conway & Kjelleberg, 1989).…”

Efficiency of Probiotics in Farm Animals

“…Effects of probiotic preparation on performance parameters (Mean ± SD). 1 Number of animals, (8 piglets/ every group, at the beginning of the experiment) 2 Number of animals, (5 piglets/every group, one week after probiotic supplementation). n = 4 at treatment 1500 mg/kg in 6 th week.…”

“…A group of authors [1] supplemented the pig diets with a combination of Lactobacillus fermentum 14 and Streptococcus salivarius 312 for 4 days and observed a significant reduction in the Escherichia coli count in both the stomach and duodenum. A significant reduction of Escherichia coli number in the stomach was also found, when Lactobacillus fermentum was supplemented separate.…”