LACTOBACILLUS RHAMNOSUS

'''Lactobacillus rhamnosus''' is a probiotic bacterium that was originally considered to be a subspecies of ''L. casei'', but later genetic research found it to be a species of its own. ''L. rhamnosus'' inhibits the growth of most harmful bacteria in the intestine. It is used as a natural preservative in yogurt and other dairy products to extend the shelf life. Some studies have been done on its ''in vivo'' effects. While frequently considered a beneficial organism, ''L. rhamnosus'' has been discovered to be pathogenic in certain circumstances.^[1]

Contents

''Lactobacillus rhamnosus'' GG

References

Further reading

''Lactobacillus rhamnosus'' GG

''Lactobacillus rhamnosus'' GG (LGG) is a strain of ''L. rhamnosus'' isolated from the intestinal tract of a healthy human being in 1983, filed for patent on 17 April 1985, by Sherwood Gorbach and Barry Goldin.^[2] (The first letters of their last names provided the ''GG'').^[3] The patent refers to a strain of "''L. acidophilus'' GG" with American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) Accession No. 53103; the organism was later reclassified as a strain of ''L. rhamnosus''. The patent claims that the LGG strain is acid– and bile–stable, has a high avidity for mucosal cells of the human intestinal tract, and produces lactic acid.
Gorbach and Goldin have published a number of studies of LGG, for instance to demonstrate that LGG tolerates the acid conditions in the stomach and the bile acids in the small intestine.^[4] Acting as a probiotic, LGG is claimed to colonize the digestive tract and balance the intestinal microflora. In 2005, LGG was used successfully for the first time to treat gastrointestinal carriage of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in renal patients.^[5]
LGG is a trademark owned by Valio Ltd. Corporation of Finland who signed an agreement with Gorbach and Goldin that gave Valio exclusive global rights to market the LGG probiotic brand.

References

1. Lactobacillus rhamnosus endocarditis complicating colonoscopy, Avlami A, Kordossis T, Vrizidis N, Sipsas NV, , , J. Infect., 2001
2.
3. Antimicrobial substance from a human Lactobacillus strain, Silva M, Jacobus NV, Deneke C, Gorbach SL, , , Antimicrob. Agents Chemother., 1987
4. Survival of lactic acid bacteria in the human stomach and adhesion to intestinal cells, Conway PL, Gorbach SL, Goldin BR, , , J. Dairy Sci., 1987
5. Probiotic treatment of vancomycin-resistant enterococci: a randomised controlled trial, Manley KJ, Fraenkel MB, Mayall BC, Power DA, , , Med J Aust., 2007

Further reading

Lactobacillus bacteremia, clinical significance, and patient outcome, with special focus on probiotic L. rhamnosus GG, Salminen MK, Rautelin H, Tynkkynen S, ''et al'', , , Clin. Infect. Dis., 2004