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PP001 Influence of an Enterococcus faecium probiotic on the immune system of sows and piglets
Wissenschaftliches Programm 55. D G H M - T a g u n g
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29. September-1. Oktober 2003 in Dresden
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Abstracts - Poster
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reliable detection and discrimination of pathogenic bacteria involved in nosocomial infections which can be a potentially valuable tool in clinical routine diagnostics.
Probiotika Poster
Influence of an Enterococcus f a e c i u m probiotic on the immune system of sows and piglets Scharek, L.~; Guth, j 1 ; Altherr, B.1; Taras, D.2; Schmidt, M.F.G. 1 1FU-Berlin; Institut for Imrnunologie und Molekularbiologie, FB Veterin~rmedizin 2FU-Berlin; Institut for Tierern~hrung, FB Veterin~rmedizin The mucosal surface of the intestinal tract represents the largest interface between the body and its environment. In numerous studies it has been shown that bacterial colonisation influences the function of immune cells belonging to the GALT and even affects the systemic immune system. In an animal study with swine, we tested the influence of Enterococcus faecium as a feed supplement on the development of the intestinal immune system. Sows were fed E. faecium as a feed additive for three months prior to as well as after delivery of piglets, which also received the probiotic after weaning. Immune cells from the piglets' intestinal mucosa were collected on days 14, 28 35 and 56 after birth. Immune cells were isolated from the intestinal epithelium (proximal jejunum) and from the continuous Peyers Patch (distal jejunum). Fluorescent antibodies against several surface antigens (CD4+, CD8+, CD21+) were used to quantify the development of different lymphocyte populations using a flow cytometer (488 nm argon laser). We found a significant decrease in CD8+ intraepithelial lymphocytes in treated piglets during the first seven weeks in life, and the numbers of B cells (CD 21+) tended to be lower in the Peyers Patches of treated piglets at the age of 14 days. ELISA assays were used to measure antibody levels in faeces, blood and milk of the sows and in the blood and faeces of the piglets. Neither total IgG or IgA levels in the sera of sows and piglets was affected, nor were the amounts of total IgG or IgA in the milk of the sows influenced by the probiotic treatment. Because the native immunity plays an important role, especially during the first weeks in the piglets' life, we are also determining the levels and activities of both circulating blood monocytes and intestinal macrophages with regard to phagocytic activity using fluorescent latex beads. This work is supported by the DFG Grant FOR 438/1-1.
http://www.dghm.org
307
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29. September-1. Oktober 2003 in Dresden
%
~ ~
Abstracts - Poster
~
.oO ~,~o~
reliable detection and discrimination of pathogenic bacteria involved in nosocomial infections which can be a potentially valuable tool in clinical routine diagnostics.
Probiotika Poster
Influence of an Enterococcus f a e c i u m probiotic on the immune system of sows and piglets Scharek, L.~; Guth, j 1 ; Altherr, B.1; Taras, D.2; Schmidt, M.F.G. 1 1FU-Berlin; Institut for Imrnunologie und Molekularbiologie, FB Veterin~rmedizin 2FU-Berlin; Institut for Tierern~hrung, FB Veterin~rmedizin The mucosal surface of the intestinal tract represents the largest interface between the body and its environment. In numerous studies it has been shown that bacterial colonisation influences the function of immune cells belonging to the GALT and even affects the systemic immune system. In an animal study with swine, we tested the influence of Enterococcus faecium as a feed supplement on the development of the intestinal immune system. Sows were fed E. faecium as a feed additive for three months prior to as well as after delivery of piglets, which also received the probiotic after weaning. Immune cells from the piglets' intestinal mucosa were collected on days 14, 28 35 and 56 after birth. Immune cells were isolated from the intestinal epithelium (proximal jejunum) and from the continuous Peyers Patch (distal jejunum). Fluorescent antibodies against several surface antigens (CD4+, CD8+, CD21+) were used to quantify the development of different lymphocyte populations using a flow cytometer (488 nm argon laser). We found a significant decrease in CD8+ intraepithelial lymphocytes in treated piglets during the first seven weeks in life, and the numbers of B cells (CD 21+) tended to be lower in the Peyers Patches of treated piglets at the age of 14 days. ELISA assays were used to measure antibody levels in faeces, blood and milk of the sows and in the blood and faeces of the piglets. Neither total IgG or IgA levels in the sera of sows and piglets was affected, nor were the amounts of total IgG or IgA in the milk of the sows influenced by the probiotic treatment. Because the native immunity plays an important role, especially during the first weeks in the piglets' life, we are also determining the levels and activities of both circulating blood monocytes and intestinal macrophages with regard to phagocytic activity using fluorescent latex beads. This work is supported by the DFG Grant FOR 438/1-1.
http://www.dghm.org
307