Skip to main content
PMC home page
Gut logoLink to Gut
. 1998 Jan;42(1):2–7. doi: 10.1136/gut.42.1.2

Ecological control of the gastrointestinal tract. The role of probiotic flora

S BENGMARK 1
PMCID: PMC1726957  PMID: 9505873

Full Text

The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (126.6 KB).

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Adlerberth I., Ahrne S., Johansson M. L., Molin G., Hanson L. A., Wold A. E. A mannose-specific adherence mechanism in Lactobacillus plantarum conferring binding to the human colonic cell line HT-29. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1996 Jul;62(7):2244–2251. doi: 10.1128/aem.62.7.2244-2251.1996. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Alverdy J. C., Aoys E., Moss G. S. Total parenteral nutrition promotes bacterial translocation from the gut. Surgery. 1988 Aug;104(2):185–190. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Alverdy J. C., Spitz J., Hecht G., Ghandi S. Causes and consequences of bacterial adherence to mucosal epithelia during critical illness. New Horiz. 1994 May;2(2):264–272. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Balmer S. E., Wharton B. A. Diet and faecal flora in the newborn: breast milk and infant formula. Arch Dis Child. 1989 Dec;64(12):1672–1677. doi: 10.1136/adc.64.12.1672. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Barrow P. A., Brooker B. E., Fuller R., Newport M. J. The attachment of bacteria to the gastric epithelium of the pig and its importance in the microecology of the intestine. J Appl Bacteriol. 1980 Feb;48(1):147–154. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.1980.tb05216.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Bates J., Jordens Z., Selkon J. B. Evidence for an animal origin of vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Lancet. 1993 Aug 21;342(8869):490–491. doi: 10.1016/0140-6736(93)91613-q. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Bengmark S. Econutrition and health maintenance--a new concept to prevent GI inflammation, ulceration and sepsis. Clin Nutr. 1996 Feb;15(1):1–10. doi: 10.1016/s0261-5614(96)80253-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Bengmark S., Gianotti L. Nutritional support to prevent and treat multiple organ failure. World J Surg. 1996 May;20(4):474–481. doi: 10.1007/s002689900075. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Bengmark S., Jeppsson B. Gastrointestinal surface protection and mucosa reconditioning. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 1995 Sep-Oct;19(5):410–415. doi: 10.1177/0148607195019005410. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Bengmark S., Larsson K., Molin G. Gut mucosa reconditioning with species-specific lactobacilli, surfactants, pseudomucus, and fibers--an invited review. Biotechnol Ther. 1994;5(3-4):171–194. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Bernet M. F., Brassart D., Neeser J. R., Servin A. L. Lactobacillus acidophilus LA 1 binds to cultured human intestinal cell lines and inhibits cell attachment and cell invasion by enterovirulent bacteria. Gut. 1994 Apr;35(4):483–489. doi: 10.1136/gut.35.4.483. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Biller J. A., Katz A. J., Flores A. F., Buie T. M., Gorbach S. L. Treatment of recurrent Clostridium difficile colitis with Lactobacillus GG. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1995 Aug;21(2):224–226. doi: 10.1097/00005176-199508000-00016. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Björkstén B. Risk factors in early childhood for the development of atopic diseases. Allergy. 1994 Jul;49(6):400–407. doi: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.1994.tb00831.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Bouhnik Y., Pochart P., Marteau P., Arlet G., Goderel I., Rambaud J. C. Fecal recovery in humans of viable Bifidobacterium sp ingested in fermented milk. Gastroenterology. 1992 Mar;102(3):875–878. doi: 10.1016/0016-5085(92)90172-u. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Bower R. H., Cerra F. B., Bershadsky B., Licari J. J., Hoyt D. B., Jensen G. L., Van Buren C. T., Rothkopf M. M., Daly J. M., Adelsberg B. R. Early enteral administration of a formula (Impact) supplemented with arginine, nucleotides, and fish oil in intensive care unit patients: results of a multicenter, prospective, randomized, clinical trial. Crit Care Med. 1995 Mar;23(3):436–449. doi: 10.1097/00003246-199503000-00006. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Boyce J. M., Mermel L. A., Zervos M. J., Rice L. B., Potter-Bynoe G., Giorgio C., Medeiros A. A. Controlling vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 1995 Nov;16(11):634–637. doi: 10.1086/647028. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Boyce J. M., Opal S. M., Chow J. W., Zervos M. J., Potter-Bynoe G., Sherman C. B., Romulo R. L., Fortna S., Medeiros A. A. Outbreak of multidrug-resistant Enterococcus faecium with transferable vanB class vancomycin resistance. J Clin Microbiol. 1994 May;32(5):1148–1153. doi: 10.1128/jcm.32.5.1148-1153.1994. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Braga M., Vignali A., Gianotti L., Cestari A., Profili M., Carlo V. D. Immune and nutritional effects of early enteral nutrition after major abdominal operations. Eur J Surg. 1996 Feb;162(2):105–112. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Chandra R. K. Prospective studies of the effect of breast feeding on incidence of infection and allergy. Acta Paediatr Scand. 1979 Sep;68(5):691–694. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.1979.tb18439.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Corthier G., Dubos F., Raibaud P. Modulation of cytotoxin production by Clostridium difficile in the intestinal tracts of gnotobiotic mice inoculated with various human intestinal bacteria. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1985 Jan;49(1):250–252. doi: 10.1128/aem.49.1.250-252.1985. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Daly J. M., Lieberman M. D., Goldfine J., Shou J., Weintraub F., Rosato E. F., Lavin P. Enteral nutrition with supplemental arginine, RNA, and omega-3 fatty acids in patients after operation: immunologic, metabolic, and clinical outcome. Surgery. 1992 Jul;112(1):56–67. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Daly J. M., Weintraub F. N., Shou J., Rosato E. F., Lucia M. Enteral nutrition during multimodality therapy in upper gastrointestinal cancer patients. Ann Surg. 1995 Apr;221(4):327–338. doi: 10.1097/00000658-199504000-00002. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Duncan C., Dougall H., Johnston P., Green S., Brogan R., Leifert C., Smith L., Golden M., Benjamin N. Chemical generation of nitric oxide in the mouth from the enterosalivary circulation of dietary nitrate. Nat Med. 1995 Jun;1(6):546–551. doi: 10.1038/nm0695-546. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Falkow S., Isberg R. R., Portnoy D. A. The interaction of bacteria with mammalian cells. Annu Rev Cell Biol. 1992;8:333–363. doi: 10.1146/annurev.cb.08.110192.002001. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Frieden T. R., Munsiff S. S., Low D. E., Willey B. M., Williams G., Faur Y., Eisner W., Warren S., Kreiswirth B. Emergence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in New York City. Lancet. 1993 Jul 10;342(8863):76–79. doi: 10.1016/0140-6736(93)91285-t. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Goldin B. R., Gorbach S. L., Saxelin M., Barakat S., Gualtieri L., Salminen S. Survival of Lactobacillus species (strain GG) in human gastrointestinal tract. Dig Dis Sci. 1992 Jan;37(1):121–128. doi: 10.1007/BF01308354. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Gorbach S. L., Chang T. W., Goldin B. Successful treatment of relapsing Clostridium difficile colitis with Lactobacillus GG. Lancet. 1987 Dec 26;2(8574):1519–1519. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(87)92646-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Gothefors L., Carlsson B., Ahlstedt S., Hanson L. A., Winberg J. Influence of maternal gut flora and colostral and cord serum antibodies on presence of Escherichia coli in faeces of the newborn infant. Acta Paediatr Scand. 1976 Mar;65(2):225–232. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.1976.tb16542.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Hall M. A., Cole C. B., Smith S. L., Fuller R., Rolles C. J. Factors influencing the presence of faecal lactobacilli in early infancy. Arch Dis Child. 1990 Feb;65(2):185–188. doi: 10.1136/adc.65.2.185. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Hillier S. L., Krohn M. A., Klebanoff S. J., Eschenbach D. A. The relationship of hydrogen peroxide-producing lactobacilli to bacterial vaginosis and genital microflora in pregnant women. Obstet Gynecol. 1992 Mar;79(3):369–373. doi: 10.1097/00006250-199203000-00008. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Isolauri E., Kaila M., Mykkänen H., Ling W. H., Salminen S. Oral bacteriotherapy for viral gastroenteritis. Dig Dis Sci. 1994 Dec;39(12):2595–2600. doi: 10.1007/BF02087695. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Isolauri E., Majamaa H., Arvola T., Rantala I., Virtanen E., Arvilommi H. Lactobacillus casei strain GG reverses increased intestinal permeability induced by cow milk in suckling rats. Gastroenterology. 1993 Dec;105(6):1643–1650. doi: 10.1016/0016-5085(93)91059-q. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Jack R. W., Tagg J. R., Ray B. Bacteriocins of gram-positive bacteria. Microbiol Rev. 1995 Jun;59(2):171–200. doi: 10.1128/mr.59.2.171-200.1995. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Johansson M. L., Molin G., Jeppsson B., Nobaek S., Ahrné S., Bengmark S. Administration of different Lactobacillus strains in fermented oatmeal soup: in vivo colonization of human intestinal mucosa and effect on the indigenous flora. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1993 Jan;59(1):15–20. doi: 10.1128/aem.59.1.15-20.1993. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Juven B. J., Meinersmann R. J., Stern N. J. Antagonistic effects of lactobacilli and pediococci to control intestinal colonization by human enteropathogens in live poultry. J Appl Bacteriol. 1991 Feb;70(2):95–103. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.1991.tb04433.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Kemen M., Senkal M., Homann H. H., Mumme A., Dauphin A. K., Baier J., Windeler J., Neumann H., Zumtobel V. Early postoperative enteral nutrition with arginine-omega-3 fatty acids and ribonucleic acid-supplemented diet versus placebo in cancer patients: an immunologic evaluation of Impact. Crit Care Med. 1995 Apr;23(4):652–659. doi: 10.1097/00003246-199504000-00012. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. Klebanoff S. J., Hillier S. L., Eschenbach D. A., Waltersdorph A. M. Control of the microbial flora of the vagina by H2O2-generating lactobacilli. J Infect Dis. 1991 Jul;164(1):94–100. doi: 10.1093/infdis/164.1.94. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. Kudsk K. A., Croce M. A., Fabian T. C., Minard G., Tolley E. A., Poret H. A., Kuhl M. R., Brown R. O. Enteral versus parenteral feeding. Effects on septic morbidity after blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma. Ann Surg. 1992 May;215(5):503–513. doi: 10.1097/00000658-199205000-00013. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. Leclercq R., Derlot E., Duval J., Courvalin P. Plasmid-mediated resistance to vancomycin and teicoplanin in Enterococcus faecium. N Engl J Med. 1988 Jul 21;319(3):157–161. doi: 10.1056/NEJM198807213190307. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. Lencner A. A., Lencner C. P., Mikelsaar M. E., Tjuri M. E., Toom M. A., Väljaots M. E., Silov V. M., Liz'ko N. N., Legenkov V. I., Reznikov I. M. Die quantitative Zusammensetzung der Lactoflora des Verdauungstrakts vor und nach kosmischen Flügen unterschiedlicher Dauer. Nahrung. 1984;28(6-7):607–613. doi: 10.1002/food.19840280608. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. Lindgren S. E., Dobrogosz W. J. Antagonistic activities of lactic acid bacteria in food and feed fermentations. FEMS Microbiol Rev. 1990 Sep;7(1-2):149–163. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1990.tb04885.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  42. Ling W. H., Korpela R., Mykkänen H., Salminen S., Hänninen O. Lactobacillus strain GG supplementation decreases colonic hydrolytic and reductive enzyme activities in healthy female adults. J Nutr. 1994 Jan;124(1):18–23. doi: 10.1093/jn/124.1.18. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  43. Lundberg J. O., Weitzberg E., Lundberg J. M., Alving K. Intragastric nitric oxide production in humans: measurements in expelled air. Gut. 1994 Nov;35(11):1543–1546. doi: 10.1136/gut.35.11.1543. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  44. Majamaa H., Isolauri E., Saxelin M., Vesikari T. Lactic acid bacteria in the treatment of acute rotavirus gastroenteritis. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1995 Apr;20(3):333–338. doi: 10.1097/00005176-199504000-00012. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  45. Majamaa H., Isolauri E., Saxelin M., Vesikari T. Lactic acid bacteria in the treatment of acute rotavirus gastroenteritis. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1995 Apr;20(3):333–338. doi: 10.1097/00005176-199504000-00012. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  46. McDonald L. C., Fleming H. P., Hassan H. M. Acid Tolerance of Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Lactobacillus plantarum. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1990 Jul;56(7):2120–2124. doi: 10.1128/aem.56.7.2120-2124.1990. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  47. Millar M. R., Bacon C., Smith S. L., Walker V., Hall M. A. Enteral feeding of premature infants with Lactobacillus GG. Arch Dis Child. 1993 Nov;69(5 Spec No):483–487. doi: 10.1136/adc.69.5_spec_no.483. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  48. Molin G., Jeppsson B., Johansson M. L., Ahrné S., Nobaek S., Ståhl M., Bengmark S. Numerical taxonomy of Lactobacillus spp. associated with healthy and diseased mucosa of the human intestines. J Appl Bacteriol. 1993 Mar;74(3):314–323. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.1993.tb03031.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  49. Montel M. C., Champomier M. C. Arginine catabolism in Lactobacillus sake isolated from meat. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1987 Nov;53(11):2683–2685. doi: 10.1128/aem.53.11.2683-2685.1987. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  50. Moore F. A., Feliciano D. V., Andrassy R. J., McArdle A. H., Booth F. V., Morgenstein-Wagner T. B., Kellum J. M., Jr, Welling R. E., Moore E. E. Early enteral feeding, compared with parenteral, reduces postoperative septic complications. The results of a meta-analysis. Ann Surg. 1992 Aug;216(2):172–183. doi: 10.1097/00000658-199208000-00008. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  51. Mora N. P., Cofer J. B., Solomon H., Goldstein R. M., Gonwa T. A., Husberg B. S., Klintmalm G. B. Analysis of severe infections (INF) after 180 consecutive liver transplants: the impact of amphotericin B prophylaxis for reducing the incidence and severity of fungal infections. Transplant Proc. 1991 Feb;23(1 Pt 2):1528–1530. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  52. Murray B. E., Singh K. V., Markowitz S. M., Lopardo H. A., Patterson J. E., Zervos M. J., Rubeglio E., Eliopoulos G. M., Rice L. B., Goldstein F. W. Evidence for clonal spread of a single strain of beta-lactamase-producing Enterococcus (Streptococcus) faecalis to six hospitals in five states. J Infect Dis. 1991 Apr;163(4):780–785. doi: 10.1093/infdis/163.4.780. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  53. Newman K. A., Schimpff S. C., Young V. M., Wiernik P. H. Lessons learned from surveillance cultures in patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia. Usefulness for epidemiologic, preventive and therapeutic research. Am J Med. 1981 Feb;70(2):423–431. doi: 10.1016/0002-9343(81)90783-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  54. Niederman M. S., Merrill W. W., Polomski L. M., Reynolds H. Y., Gee J. B. Influence of sputum IgA and elastase on tracheal cell bacterial adherence. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1986 Feb;133(2):255–260. doi: 10.1164/arrd.1986.133.2.255. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  55. Osborne D. L., Seidel E. R. Microflora-derived polyamines modulate obstruction-induced colonic mucosal hypertrophy. Am J Physiol. 1989 Jun;256(6 Pt 1):G1049–G1057. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.1989.256.6.G1049. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  56. Pallares R., Pujol M., Peña C., Ariza J., Martin R., Gudiol F. Cephalosporins as risk factor for nosocomial Enterococcus faecalis bacteremia. A matched case-control study. Arch Intern Med. 1993 Jul 12;153(13):1581–1586. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  57. Saxelin M., Chuang N. H., Chassy B., Rautelin H., Mäkelä P. H., Salminen S., Gorbach S. L. Lactobacilli and bacteremia in southern Finland, 1989-1992. Clin Infect Dis. 1996 Mar;22(3):564–566. doi: 10.1093/clinids/22.3.564. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  58. Schiott C. R., Briner W. W., Löe H. Two year oral use of chlorhexidine in man. II. The effect on the salivary bacterial flora. J Periodontal Res. 1976 Jun;11(3):145–152. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.1976.tb00062.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  59. Simhon A., Douglas J. R., Drasar B. S., Soothill J. F. Effect of feeding on infants' faecal flora. Arch Dis Child. 1982 Jan;57(1):54–58. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  60. Spera R. V., Jr, Farber B. F. Multidrug-resistant Enterococcus faecium. An untreatable nosocomial pathogen. Drugs. 1994 Nov;48(5):678–688. doi: 10.2165/00003495-199448050-00003. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  61. Spitz J. C., Ghandi S., Taveras M., Aoys E., Alverdy J. C. Characteristics of the intestinal epithelial barrier during dietary manipulation and glucocorticoid stress. Crit Care Med. 1996 Apr;24(4):635–641. doi: 10.1097/00003246-199604000-00015. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  62. Spitz J., Hecht G., Taveras M., Aoys E., Alverdy J. The effect of dexamethasone administration on rat intestinal permeability: the role of bacterial adherence. Gastroenterology. 1994 Jan;106(1):35–41. doi: 10.1016/s0016-5085(94)94155-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  63. Stark P. L., Lee A. The microbial ecology of the large bowel of breast-fed and formula-fed infants during the first year of life. J Med Microbiol. 1982 May;15(2):189–203. doi: 10.1099/00222615-15-2-189. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  64. Swartz M. N. Hospital-acquired infections: diseases with increasingly limited therapies. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1994 Mar 29;91(7):2420–2427. doi: 10.1073/pnas.91.7.2420. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  65. Tancrède C. Role of human microflora in health and disease. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 1992 Nov;11(11):1012–1015. doi: 10.1007/BF01967791. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  66. Todd T. R., Franklin A., Mankinen-Irvin P., Gurman G., Irvin R. T. Augmented bacterial adherence to tracheal epithelial cells is associated with gram-negative pneumonia in an intensive care unit population. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1989 Dec;140(6):1585–1589. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm/140.6.1585. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  67. Wells C. L., Maddaus M. A., Simmons R. L. Proposed mechanisms for the translocation of intestinal bacteria. Rev Infect Dis. 1988 Sep-Oct;10(5):958–979. doi: 10.1093/clinids/10.5.958. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  68. Wright C. E., Rees D. D., Moncada S. Protective and pathological roles of nitric oxide in endotoxin shock. Cardiovasc Res. 1992 Jan;26(1):48–57. doi: 10.1093/cvr/26.1.48. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  69. Zervos M. J., Kauffman C. A., Therasse P. M., Bergman A. G., Mikesell T. S., Schaberg D. R. Nosocomial infection by gentamicin-resistant Streptococcus faecalis. An epidemiologic study. Ann Intern Med. 1987 May;106(5):687–691. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-106-5-687. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Gut are provided here courtesy of BMJ Publishing Group

RESOURCES