Effects of Enterococcus faecalis CECT 7121 on Cryptosporidium parvum infection in mice

Authors: DEL COCO, VALERIA - National University Of Laplata; SPARO, MONICA - National University Of Laplata; SIDOTI, ALICIA - National University Of Laplata; Santin-Duran, Monica; BASUALDO, JUAN - National University Of Laplata; CODORBA, MARIA - National University Of Laplata

Submitted to: Parasitology Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/15/2016
Publication Date: 5/19/2016
Citation: Del Coco, V.F., Sparo, M.D., Sidoti, A., Santin, M., Basualdo, J.A., Codorba, M.A. 2016. Effects of Enterococcus faecalis CECT 7121 on Cryptosporidium parvum infection in mice. Parasitology Research. 115(8):3239-3244. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-016-5087-1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-016-5087-1

Interpretive Summary: Cryptosporidiosis is an intestinal parasitic disease of humans and animals that is caused by the protozoa in the genus Cryptosporidium. The diarrheal disease caused by Cryptosporidium is typically self-limiting in immunocompetent hosts but often life-threatening to immunocompromised individuals. However, there is a lack of completely efficient therapy available. Probiotics have attracted the attention as potential antiparasite compounds against intestinal infections. In this study we investigated the effects of administration of probiotic Enterococcus faecalis CECT 7121 (Ef CECT 7121) on Cryptosporidium parvum infection in immunosuppressed mice. The effects on C. parvum infection at the intestinal mucosa was studied and scored at each portion of the gut. It was demonstrated that probiotic Ef CECT 7121 interfered with C. parvum infection suggesting that the use of this probiotic can alleviate the negative effects of C. parvum infection. This research provides useful information for the treatment of infections complicated by compromised immunity.

Technical Abstract: Cryptosporidium is an opportunistic protozoan parasite of humans and animals worldwide, causes diarrheal disease that is typically self-limiting in immunocompetent hosts but often life-threatening to immunocompromised individuals. However, there is a lack of completely efficient therapy available. Probiotics have attracted the attention as potential antiparasite compounds against protozoa involved in intestinal infections. This study investigated the effects of administration of probiotic Enterococcus faecalis CECT 7121 on Cryptosporidium parvum infection in immunosuppressed mice. Effects on C. parvum infection at the intestinal mucosa was studied and scored at each portion of the gut. It was demonstrated that Ef CECT 7121 interfered with C. parvum infection when both probiotic and parasite were present in the same intestinal location suggesting that Ef CECT 7121 supplementation can alleviate the negative effects of C. parvum infection.