The study of Lactobacillus paracasei effects on liver lesions caused by Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli in hamster

Diarrheal disease is still one of the biggest health problems in different parts of the world. In developing countries, Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli not only is the main causes of diarrhea in children ,but also the most important factor for traveler's diarrhea. EPEC bacteria (Escherichia coli) colonize human and animal gastrointestinal canals and migrate to the liver which can cause complications in these organs. Probiotics are live microorganisms when used are helpful for the host’s health. Recent studies show that some probiotics such as Lactobacillus paracasei can prevent the growth of EPEC in vitro. Also with the help of probiotics, pathological lesions of bacteria can be also avoided in vivo.This study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of Lactobacillus paracasei on liver pathologic lesions of Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli in hamster. Thirty male hamsters were divided into three group (1,2,3). Hamsters in group 2 and 3 received 1 ml of saline contained 107 and 108 CFU of Lactobacillus paracasei orally for 7 days. Respectively animals in group 1 (as control) received only 1 ml normal saline.on day seven all animals were challenged orally with 108 Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli on day 14, firstly all Hamsters challenged with the bacterium, then all animals were euthanized specimens of liver were fixed in 10% buffered formalin solution for histological examinations and translated to the histopathologic laboratory of Ardakan University. the result of liver histopathologic examinations was investigated by Fisher exact test and showed areas of focal necrosis and congestion in 8 control Hamsters compared with Hamsters in experiment groups that didn’t show any marked pathological changes in the liver. The result of this study indicates that Lactobacillus paracasei has a protective effect on Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli infection in hamsters and histological examination confirms this results.