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

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of hydrogen peroxide-producing Lactobacillus acidophilus V-2Oonthe replication of periodontal pathogens, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis. When A. actinomycetemcomitam and P. gingivalis were incubated alone and in the combination with L. acidophilus V-20, the viable cell numbers of A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis were compared between those cultures. The effect of S. mutans, E. durans, and L. lactis on the replication of A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis was also evaluated. The change of periodontal indexes(probine depth, gingival index, GCF volume) and the viable cell numbers of A. actinomycetemcomitans and black pigmented bdcteroides in subgingival plaque sample were evaluated following gargling of fermented milk made from L. acidophilus V-20 for 1 month on patients with periodontal disease in maintenance phase. In the mixed culture of L. acidophilus V-20 and A. actinomycetemcomitans or P. gingivalis, the replication of A. adinomycetemcomitam or P. gingivalis was completely inhibited. But in the mixed culture of P. gingivalis and hydrogen peroxide-nonproducing Lactobacillus casei, the viable cell numbers of P. gingivalis was not decreased when compared with the numbers in the mixed culture of P. gingivalis and L. acidophilus V-20. In the mixed culture of A. actinomycetemcomitam and S. mutans, E. durans, or L. lactis, the viable cell number of A. adinomycetemcomitans was not almost changed when compared with the numbers in the culture of A. actinomycetemcomitans alone. And in the mixed culture of P. gingivalis and E. durans or L. lactis, the viable cell numbers of P. gingivalis was not almost changed compared with the counts in the culture of P. gingivalis alone. But the replication of P. gingivalis was completely inhibited in the mixed culture of P. gingivalis and S. mutans. When the change of periodontal indexes following gargling of fermented milk was compared with baseline, probing depth and gingival index were not changed, but GCF volume was significantly dcreased(p (0.05). And when the viable cell numbers of microorganisms in subgingival plaque sample were compared with baseline, total viable cell number was almost unchanged and the viable cell numbers of A. actinomycetemcomitans and black pigmented bdcteroides were significantly decreased(p<0.05). These results suggest that L. acidophilus V-20 inhibit the replication of A. actinomycetemcomitans and black pigmented bacteroides by the formation of hydrogen peroxide.
Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans ; Bacteria* ; Bacteroides ; Cell Count ; Gingival Crevicular Fluid ; Humans ; Hydrogen ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Lactic Acid* ; Lactobacillus acidophilus ; Lactobacillus casei ; Milk ; Periodontal Diseases ; Periodontal Index ; Porphyromonas gingivalis

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the growth inhibitory effects of some vegetable oils on Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Lactobacillus casei (L. casei). METHODS: Two bacterial strains and 5 kinds of test solutions (3 experimental groups: orange essential oil, olive oil, soybean oil; 1 positive control group: chlorhexidine solution; 1 negative control group: broth medium) were used in this study. S. mutans and L. casei pellets were exposed to 1 ml of one of the test solutions for 1 minute. Then, the treated bacterial cells were incubated in fresh broth medium for 0, 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours. The optical density of the broth medium was measured using an ELISA reader at 620 nm. A nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test (with Mann-Whitney U tests) was performed to compare the change in optical density between different groups at different time points. RESULTS: Bacterial growth was significantly inhibited in all experimental groups compared to the negative control group. The growth of L. casei was less affected by experimental oils than that of S. mutans. Orange essential oil had the maximum growth inhibitory effect on S. mutans up to 8 hours, similar to that in the positive control group (P<0.01). Experimental oils had greater growth inhibitory effect on L. casei than chlorhexidine solution. CONCLUSIONS: This in vitro study confirmed the growth inhibitory effect of some vegetable oils on S. mutans and L. casei. Rising of the mouth using these vegetable oils is expected to have an anti-plaque effect, but additional clinical studies are needed to confirm this.
Chlorhexidine ; Citrus sinensis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Lactobacillus casei* ; Lactobacillus* ; Mouth ; Oils ; Olea ; Plant Oils* ; Soybean Oil ; Streptococcus mutans* ; Streptococcus* ; Vegetables* ; Olive Oil