New! Sign up for our free email newsletter.
Science News
from research organizations

Oral bacteria may offer probiotic potential against upper respiratory infections

Date:
June 21, 2010
Source:
American Society for Microbiology
Summary:
Bacteria in the mouth may offer probiotic potential against upper respiratory tract infections, say researchers.
Share:
FULL STORY

Bacteria in the mouth may offer probiotic potential against upper respiratory tract infections, say researchers from the Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy, and Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland.

They detail their findings in the June 2010 issue of the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

Although internal communication between human hosts and their microbes is only minimally understood, probiotics are live microorganisms thought to promote health within their host. So far, the benefits of probiotics have been predominantly explored in the intestinal tract, however, other initial studies suggest probiotics may contribute to wellness in the stomach, vaginal tract, skin and mouth.

Upper respiratory tract infections are the leading cause of visits to the pediatrician, especially in children between the ages of 5 and 12. Streptococcus pyogenes is one of the main causes associated with such infections and antibiotics are the only treatment currently available with prescription rates running as high as 90%.

"A probiotic strategy effective in the prophylaxis of pharyngitis, therefore, could provide a significant social benefit," say the researchers.

Bacteria newly isolated from the mouths of healthy volunteers were analyzed and two potential probiotic bacterial strains, Streptococcus salivarius RS1 and ST3, were identified. Following comparison with a recently developed oral probiotic prototype, S. salivarius strain K12, all three bound to human pharyngeal cells and antagonized S. pyogenes adhesion and growth. Additionally, all were sensitive to antibiotics routinely used for treating upper respiratory tract infections.

"We suggest that the selected commensal streptococci represent potential pharyngeal probiotic candidates," say the researchers. "They could display a good degree of adaptation to the host and possess potential immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties."


Story Source:

Materials provided by American Society for Microbiology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Guglielmetti et al. Oral Bacteria as Potential Probiotics for the Pharyngeal Mucosa. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2010; 76 (12): 3948 DOI: 10.1128/AEM.00109-10

Cite This Page:

American Society for Microbiology. "Oral bacteria may offer probiotic potential against upper respiratory infections." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 21 June 2010. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100618142511.htm>.
American Society for Microbiology. (2010, June 21). Oral bacteria may offer probiotic potential against upper respiratory infections. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100618142511.htm
American Society for Microbiology. "Oral bacteria may offer probiotic potential against upper respiratory infections." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100618142511.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

Explore More

from ScienceDaily

RELATED STORIES