PURPOSE: As allergy diseases including atopic dermatitis are increasing lately, many kinds of studies about the cause and the pathogenesis are in progress and the secrets of the of organization intestinal microflora and the relationship with inflammatory are reaction actively being revealed. METHODS: In this study, the subjects included 32 atopic dermatitis patients and 23 normal controls who visited the allergy clinics of the pediatrics department in Soonchunhyang University Hospital from June to October, 2003. Lactobacillus casei were cultured and counted. And serum total IgE, IgA and AST/ALT were examined. Also, the differences in lactobacillus counts between the atopic dermatitis patients and normal controls were analyzed. RESULTS: We were not able to find out a statistically significant differences between the atopic dermatitis patients and the control group. We were able to find out a statistically significant inverse correlation of serum total IgE and the number of Lactobacillus casei. CONCLUSION: The significant inverse correlations of serum total IgE and the number of Lactobacillus casei are expected to contribute to precognition and treatment of atopic dermatitis. It is hoped that more researches on the relationship between atopic dermatitis and intestinal flora should be carried out in the future.
Child* ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Hope ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin A ; Immunoglobulin E ; Lactobacillus casei* ; Lactobacillus* ; Pediatrics

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Probiotics are expected to confer benefits on patients with constipation, but how probiotics act on constipated patients with variable stool consistencies remains unclear. We investigated the effect of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS) on constipation-related symptoms, especially stool consistency, of constipated patients. METHODS: Constipated patients meeting the Rome III criteria were divided into 3 groups according to the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS): hard (hard stool [HS], BSFS < 3), normal (normal stool [NS], ≤ 3 BSFS ≤ 4), and soft (soft stool [SS], 4 < BSFS ≤ 5) stools. Subjects in each group consumed a probiotic beverage containing 1010 colony-forming units of LcS daily for 28 days. RESULTS: LcS intervention significantly alleviated constipation-related symptoms and increased defecation frequency in all subjects. Four weeks of LcS supplementation softened the hard stools in HS, hardened the soft stools in SS, and did not alter the ideal stool consistency in NS. The short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations were highest in SS, followed by NS and HS. LcS intervention increased the stool SCFA levels in HS but reduced or did not alter the levels in NS and SS. LcS intervention increased the Pseudobutyrivibrio and Roseburia abundances in HS and decreased the Pseudobutyrivibrio abundance in SS. CONCLUSIONS: LcS supplementation improved the constipation-related symptoms in constipated subjects. Differences in baseline stool consistency could result in different anti-constipation effects of LcS intervention. LcS balanced the stool consistency—softened the HS and hardened the SS. These effects could be associated with modulation of the gut microbiota and SCFA production.
Beverages ; China ; Constipation ; Defecation ; Fatty Acids, Volatile ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Humans ; Lactobacillus casei ; Lactobacillus ; Probiotics ; Stem Cells

More than 120 isolates of lactic acid bacteria obtained from Kimchi was screened for antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus. Approximately 10% of the isolates showed inhibitory activity and only 4.16% (five isolates) exhibited strong activity against the indicator fungus A. fumigatus. The five isolates showed a wide rang of antifungal activity against A. flavus, Fusarium moniliforme, Penicillium commune, and Rhizopus oryzae. They were identified by 16S rDNA sequencing as Lactobacillus cruvatus, L. lactis subsp. lactis, L. casei, L. pentosus, and L. sakei. The effect of Lactobacillus on mycelial growth and fungal biomass as well as its ability to produce toxic compounds were determined. The results indicate that the three species, Lactobacillus casei, L. lactis subsp. lactis, and L. pentosus, are active against A. fumigatus.
Aspergillus fumigatus* ; Aspergillus* ; Bacteria* ; Biomass ; DNA, Ribosomal ; Fungi ; Fusarium ; Lactic Acid* ; Lactobacillus ; Lactobacillus casei ; Oryza ; Penicillium ; Rhizopus

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the adherence of bacteria on various denture base resin materials and effects of chitosan, added to denture base materials on bacterial adherence. PMMA denture base resin such as heat-cured Vertex-RS, self-cured Vertex-SC and 4-META denture base resin such as heat-cured Meta-Dent, self-cured Meta-Fast were used in this study. Samples were divided into two groups: the denture base resin with chitosan, without chitosan. Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus casei were used in this study. The surface of samples was observed by SEM. When chitosan was added to M17 and MRS broth, viable cell count of bacteria was reduced. Viable cell count of Streptococcus mutans on the samples decreased as follows: Meta-Dent, Vertex-SC, Meta-Fast, Vertex-RS. Viable cell count of Lactobacillus casei on the samples decreased as follows: Vertex-RS, Meta-Dent, Meta-Fast, Vertex-SC. The resin with chitosan showed lower adherence of bacteria than without chitosan. The images of SEM showed that the surface of the resin with chitosan was rougher than that of without chitosan. These results showed that the denture base resin materials with chitosan have rougher surface than without chitosan,but less bacteria adhered on them.
Bacteria* ; Cell Count ; Chitosan* ; Denture Bases* ; Dentures* ; Lactobacillus casei ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; Streptococcus mutans

Lactobacillus sp., generally considered to be a harmless indigenous bacteria of the mucous membrane, occasionally causes serious infections. Lactobacillus endocarditis is a very rare disease, and no case has been reported in Korea. Gram-positive bacilli were isolated from blood cultures of a 41-year-old man with clinically suspected subacute bacterial endocarditis. The patient had a dental procedure 3 months prior to the infection. The isolate was identified as L. casei subsp. casei based on the cultural characteristics and gas liquid chromatography of metabolic products. The patient was treated with ampicillin and improved. When Lactobacillus is isolated from the blood of an endocarditis patient, the significance should be seriously considered. MeSH Terms:
Adult ; Endocarditis, Bacterial/*etiology ; Human ; Lactobacillus casei/*isolation & purification ; Male ; Septicemia/*etiology

To evaluate immune efficacy of the recombinant Lactobacillus casei, we constructed pLA-Newcastle disease virus (NDV)-F/L. casei and obtained the expression products. PCR amplified the NDV F gene carrying part of the major epitopes. The target gene was inserted to the shuttle plasmid pLA, and then transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) in order to screen positive recombinant plasmid. The positive recombinant plasmid was transformed into L. casei by electroporation to construct pLA-NDV-F/L. casei. The positive strains were identified by PCR. The reactivity of the recombinant bacteria was identified by Western blotting and the protein expression was detected by indirect immunofluorescence, flow cytometry and laser confocal microscopy. The 14-day-old chickens in each group were vaccinated by oral plus nose drops. The pLA-NDV-F/L. casei twice immunization group and three times immunization group, the commercial vaccine group, the pLA/L. casei group, the unchallenge PBS and the challenge PBS group were established. IgG in serum and sIgA in the lavage fluid of intestinal, nasal and lung were detected by ELISA. The protection rate of chickens was evaluated. The results showed that 94.10% of the recombinant bacteria expressed the F protein. The recombinant protein was highly expressed on the surface of L. casei with a protein size of 62 kDa, which specifically bound to anti-NDV serum. The levels of anti-F IgG and sIgA antibodies in each test group were significantly higher than those in the control groups. The duration of antibody in the pLA-NDV-F/L. casei three-time immunization group lasted 28 days longer than that in the twice immunized group, and there was no significant difference between antibody peak values. The attack protection rates in each group of immunized pLA-NDV-F/L. casei three times, twice, attenuated vaccine, pLA/L. casei and PBS were 80%, 80%, 90%, 0% and 0%, respectively. Therefore, the antigenic protein of NDV F was successfully expressed by L. casei expression system, which has of reactogenicity and immunogenicity, and could induce protective immune responses in chickens.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; Chickens ; Immunization ; Lactobacillus casei ; Newcastle disease virus ; Vaccines, Attenuated ; Viral Vaccines

Lactobacillus casei KC-324 was tested for its ability to inhibit aflatoxin production and mycelial growth of Aspergillus flavus ATCC 15517 in liquid culture. Aflatoxin B1 biosynthesis and mycelial growth were inhibited in both simultaneous culture and individual antagonism assays,suggesting that the inhibitory activity was due to extracellular metabolites produced in cell-free supernatant fluids of the cultured broth of L. casei KC-324. In cell-free supernatant fluids of all media tested,deMan,Rogosa and Sharpe broth,potato dextrose broth,and Czapek-Dox broth + 1% yeast extract showed higher antiaflatoxigenic activity. In these case, fungal growths, however, was not affected as measured by mycelial dry weight. The antiaflatoxigenic metabolites from L. casei KC-324 were produced over wide range of temperatures between 25degrees C and 37degrees C. However, these metabolites were not thermostable since the inhibitory activity of the supernatant was inactivated within 30 minutes at 100degrees C and 121degrees C. The inhibitory activity was not influenced by changing pH of supernatant between 4 and 10. However,the antiaflatoxigenic activity was slightly reduced at pH 10.
Aflatoxin B1 ; Aflatoxins* ; Aspergillus flavus* ; Glucose ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Lactobacillus casei* ; Yeasts

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), including L. plantarum isolated from Kimchi, are beneficial and safe microorganisms that improve disturbances of the indigenous microflora and the host's immune system. The adhesion abilities of Kimchi-derived L. plantarum PM008 and yogurt-derived L. casei were measured in vitro and in vivo. When L. plantarum or L. casei was incubated with Caco-2 cells, these Lactobacillus strains were potently attached. When these strains were orally administered to mice, the LABs were attached on the large intestine of mice. The attachment of L. plantarum on murine intestine or Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cell lines was more potent than that of L. casei, although numbers of LAB between their feces were not different. Treatment with either L. plantarum or L. casei for 14 days suppressed fecal beta-glucuronidase activity, although treatment for one day did not affect it. L. plantarum showed more potent inhibition than L. casei. In addition, L. plantarum and L. casei were stable to artificial gastric and intestinal juice. L. plantarum was more stable than L. casei. Based on these findings, the survival and adhesion effects of orally administered LAB strains in the intestine may increase numbers of LAB in intestine and express their biological activities.
Animals ; Bacteria ; Caco-2 Cells ; Epithelial Cells ; Feces ; Glucuronidase ; Humans ; Immune System ; Intestine, Large ; Intestines ; Lactic Acid ; Lactobacillus ; Lactobacillus casei ; Lactobacillus plantarum ; Mice ; Pyridines ; Thiazoles

Halitosis is caused by consumption of certain foods or drinks and production of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) by periodontopathogens. VSCs-related halitosis is not easily removed using mechanical or chemical therapies such as dental floss, plaque control and mouth rinse. Lactobacillus are known to be probiotics and stimulate immune systems of human. Furthermore, L. casei ATCC 334 and L. rhamnosus GG have an effect on protection of dental caries in vitro studies. The aim of this study was to investigate effect of Lactobacillus on halitosis by Fusobacterium nucleatum- and Porphyromonas gingivalis- producing VSCs and to analyze inhibitory mechanism. The periodontopathogens were cultivated in the presence or the absence Lactobacillus, and the level of VSCs was measured by gas chromatograph. For analysis of inhibitory mechanisms, the susceptibility assay of the spent culture medium of Lactobacillus against F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis was investigated. Also, the spent culture medium of Lactobacillus and periodontopathogens were mixed, and the emission of VSCs from the spent culture medium was measured by gas chromatograph. L. casei and L. rhamnosus significantly reduced production of VSCs. L. casei and L. rhamnosus exhibited strong antibacterial activity against F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis. The spent culture medium of L. casei inhibited to emit gaseous hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulfide from the spent culture medium of periodontopathogens. However, the spent medium of L. rhamnosus repressed only dimethyl sulfide. L. casei ATCC 334 may improve halitosis by growth inhibition of periodontopathogens and reduction of VSCs emission.
Dental Caries ; Dental Devices, Home Care ; Fusobacterium ; Halitosis* ; Humans ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; Immune System ; Lactobacillus ; Lactobacillus casei* ; Mouth ; Porphyromonas ; Probiotics ; Sulfur Compounds

PURPOSE: Recent studies suggest that oral probiotic administration might be useful in the management of atopic dermatitis. Probiotics are known to promote the maturation of gut- associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) and control inflammatory responses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical and anti-inflammatory effects on children's atopic dermatitis with Lactobacillus casei (L. casei), a kind of probiotic, supplementations. METHODS: Forty four patients with atopic dermatitis who visited the Pediatric Allergy Clinic in Soonchunhyang University Hospital from December 2004 to April 2005 were enrolled. We evaluated the SCORAD scores. Then, fresh stools were collected and cultured to count colony numbers of L. casei, and blood were samples were taken to measure IFN-gamma, total IgE, specific IgE (house dust mites, milk, egg white, dog hair, soy bean), peripheral blood eosinophil percent, and ECP. We divided patients by two groups randomly. L. casei containing yoghurt was ingested by one group but not by the other group for 16 weeks. After that period, SCORAD scores, stool cultures and blood samples were reevaluated. RESULTS: Most patients who received L. casei experienced improvement of atopic dermatitis, but changes in SCORAD scores were not so significant compared with the other group. Just forty patients had their blood tested again (L. casei group was 21), and there were no statistical significances. There were also no significant changes of specific IgE, eosinophil percent, ECP, total IgE, and IFN-gamma levels, before and after. The colony counts of L. casei in stool which were cultured after investigation, were relatively high in the group with L. casei supplements. (P=0.03) Conclusion: The administration of L. casei in children with atopic dermatitis might be helpful to improve the colony counts of L. casei in intestines, and these increased L. casei are expected to act as a down-regulator of allergic inflammation, but more investigations should be conducted to reveal the precise mechanisms and possible complications.
Animals ; Child* ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Dogs ; Dust ; Egg White ; Eosinophils ; Hair ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E ; Inflammation ; Intestines ; Lactobacillus casei* ; Lactobacillus* ; Lymphoid Tissue ; Milk ; Mites ; Probiotics ; Yogurt