Assessment of Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) therapeutic and prophylactic role in rats experimentally infected with Blastocystis subtype 3 (ST3)

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: Alkady S.F.H.; Naggar H.M.A.E.; Thabet H.S.; El-Sayed H.S.; Magdy M.; Fahmy I.A.; Abou-Seri H.M.

Journal: Parasitology Research

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH

Publication Date: 23 January 2025

Volume / Issue: Volume 124 / Issue 1

Article No.: 11

ISSN: 9320113

DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08444-2

Scopus: View on Scopus

PubMed: 39847139

Document Type: Article

Access: All Open Access; Bronze Open Access

Authors and Affiliations

Alkady S.F.H., Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; Naggar H.M.A.E., Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; Thabet H.S., Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; El-Sayed H.S., Dairy Department, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt; Magdy M., Pathology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Fahmy I.A., Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; Abou-Seri H.M., Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, Faculty of Medicine, Modern University for Technology and Information, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Blastocystis, an eukaryote, inhabits the intestinal tract of humans and animals worldwide. Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus), a probiotic, has been reported to be effective against blastocystosis. The present study evaluated the therapeutic and prophylactic effectiveness of L. acidophilus compared to metronidazole (MTZ) in rats experimentally infected with Blastocystis subtype 3 (ST3). Four groups of Blastocystis ST3-infected rats received MTZ, L. acidophilus, both MTZ and L. acidophilus, or prophylactic L. acidophilus. Non-infected and infected control groups were included. The effectiveness of treatment and prevention was evaluated using parasitological monitoring, histopathological examination, immunohistochemical staining for TNF-α and IgA expression, and immunological testing for TNF-α and IL-10. In the L. acidophilus-treated group, a 76% reduction in the mean fecal parasitic count and a 67% clearance in the intestinal wash were achieved aligning closely with outcomes observed in the MTZ-treated group. An immunomodulatory impact via upregulation of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and downregulation of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α was demonstrated as well. Combined administration of MTZ and L. acidophilus exhibited superior efficacy with a 99% decrease in the mean fecal parasitic count and a 98% decrease in the intestinal fluid parasitic count. Additionally, the lowest TNF-α and the highest IL-10 serum levels. Prophylactic use of L. acidophilus for 7 days neither prevented infection nor reduced its severity. Furthermore, no significant differences were detected in serum levels of TNF-α and IL-10 following post-prophylaxis and post-treatment with L. acidophilus. Accordingly, L. acidophilus might be recommended as an adjuvant treatment alongside MTZ for improved efficacy against blastocystosis. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025.

Keywords

Blastocystis; IgA; IL-10; Immunohistochemistry; Lactobacillus acidophilus; Metronidazole; Subtype 3; TNF-α; Animals; Antiprotozoal Agents; Blastocystis Infections; Disease Models, Animal; Feces; Immunoglobulin A; Interleukin-10; Male; Probiotics; Rats; Treatment Outcome; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; interleukin 10; probiotic agent; tumor necrosis factor; antiprotozoal agent; animal experiment; animal model; Article; blastocystosis; controlled study; down regulation; drug efficacy; feces analysis; histopathology; immunofluorescence; nonhuman; parasite count; protein expression; rat; upregulation; animal; blood; disease model; parasitology; prevention and control

Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 7

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