Probiotic effect of Bifidobacterium longum 5 and Weissella paramesenteroides WpK4 on gerbils infected with Giardia lamblia.

Aims: The objective of this study was to assess the probiotic potential of genuine strains of Bifidobacterium longum 5 and Weissella paramesenteroides WpK4, in experimental giardiasis.

Methods And Results: The bacteria were administered orally to gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) 10 days before oral infection with trophozoites of Giardia lamblia. After 7 days of infection, the animals were euthanized and portions of the duodenum were processed for histopathologic, histochemical and morphometric assessment. The height of the intestinal crypts and crypt/villi ratio were higher in infected groups (P < 0·05) than in noninfected groups. The area of mucus production was higher (P < 0·05) in infected animals pretreated with B. longum 5 than in other groups. The parasitic load of the animals that received both bacteria decreased significantly (P < 0·05) compared to the ones of the control group.

Conclusions: Our results suggest a probiotic function of B. longum 5 and W. paramesenteroides WpK4 and may result in their use as a prophylactic and therapeutic alternative for promoting human and animal health.

Significance And Impact Of The Study: Bifidobacterium longum 5 and W. paramesenteroides WpK4 may constitute prophylactic alternatives, reversing the emergence of side effects and resistance observed in the conventional treatment of giardiasis.