Probiotic dahi containing Lactobacillus casei protects against Salmonella enteritidis infection and modulates immune response in mice.

In the present study, effect of dahi containing probiotic Lactobacillus casei (probiotic dahi) was evaluated to modulate immune response against Salmonella enteritidis infection in mice. Animals were fed with milk products along with standard diet for 2 and 7 days prior to the S. enteritidis challenge and continued on the respective dairy food-supplemented diets during the postchallenge period. Translocation of S. enteritidis in spleen and liver, beta-galactosidase and beta-glucuronidase enzymatic activities and secretory IgA (sIgA) in intestinal fluid, lymphocyte proliferation, and cytokine (interleukin [IL]-2, IL-4, IL-6, and interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma]) production in cultured splenocytes were assessed on day 2, 5, and 8 of the postchallenge period. Colonization of S. enteritidis in liver and spleen was remarkably low in probiotic dahi-fed mice than mice fed milk and control dahi. The beta-galactosidase and beta-glucuronidase activities in intestinal fluid collected from mice prefed for 7 days with probiotic dahi were significantly lower at day 5 and 8 postchallenge than in mice fed milk and control dahi. Levels of sIgA and lymphocyte proliferation rate were also significantly increased in probiotic dahi-fed mice compared with the other groups. Production of IL-2, IL-6, and IFN-gamma increased, whereas IL-4 decreased in splenic lymphocytes collected from probiotic dahi-fed mice. Data showed that dahi prefed for 7 days before S. enteritidis challenge was more effective than when mice were prefed for 2 days with dahi. Moreover, probiotic dahi was more efficacious in protecting against S. enteritidis infection by enhancing innate and adaptive immunity than fermented milk and normal dahi. Results of the present study suggest that prefeeding of probiotic dahi may strengthen the consumer's immune system and may protect infectious agents like S. enteritidis.