Diarrheagenic Escherichia Coli and Probiotic Activity against Foodborne Pathogens: A Brief Review

Abstract

Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) represents the most common bacterial pathogen worldwide and is often involved in intestinal illnesses caused by food borne pathogens. DECgenerallycause auto limited watery diarrhea that in some cases can progress to more severe disease, what is related to a range of virulence factors. Probiotic bacteria naturally live in microflora and confer health benefits to the host. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species are the most commonly used as probiotics in research and studies highlighted probiotic activity against DEC and other food borne pathogens by these strains. Studies show that probiotic strains have antimicrobial properties, inhibiting virulence in vitro and in vivo and providing immunomodulation. However, the role of probiotics against pathogenic E. coli is still little known and further studies are needed to understand probiotic mechanisms against DEC;