[Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG inhibits Cronobacter-induced meningitis in neonatal rats].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the inhibitory effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG ( LGG) against Cronobacter-induced meningitis in neonatal rats.

METHODS

The cell adhesion and invasion capacities of Cronobacter were assayed in Caco-2 cells, and the optimal time length and concentration of the bacterium for infection were determined. The suppressive effects of LGG on the adhesion and invasion of Cronobacter in caco-2 cells were tested by competitive and exclusion experiments, and its inhibitory effect against Cronobacter-induced meningitis was evaluated in neonatal rats.

RESULTS

Cronobacter showed aggressive adhesion to caco-2 cells with an optimal infection time of 3 h. LGG produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of Cronobacter adhesion and invasion by competing with and excluding the latter for cell adhesion. In neonatal rats, LGG showed an obvious preventive effect and also a moderate therapeutic effect against Cronobacter-induced meningitis.

CONCLUSION

LGG can inhibit Cronobacter entry across the intestinal barrier to achieve preventive and therapeutic effects against Cronobacter-induced meningitis.