Evidence for Immune Modulation Induced by a Probiotic
- Michael Lappin, DVM, PhD, DACVIM
- Colorado State University
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KEY FINDINGS:
- This presentation provided summaries of existing research supporting the immune-modulating effects of the probiotic E. faecium SF68, as well as preliminary results from ongoing research.
- E. faecium SF68 probiotic supplementation of puppies enhanced immune response to canine distemper virus (CDV) vaccination, leading to better maintenance of antibody levels (Benyacoub et al., 2003).
- A similar study investigating the effects of SF68 on response to vaccination showed a trend toward improved response, but the findings were not statistically significant (Veir et al., 2007).
- E. faecium SF68 reduced viral shedding and appeared to less morbidity in cats with chronic feline herpesvirsus 1 (FHV-1) (Lappin et al., 2009).
- Although E. faecium SF68 reduced trophozoite shedding of Giardia intestinalis-infected mice (Benyacoub et al., 2005), it did not significantly reduce cyst shedding in chronically infected dogs (Simpson et al., 2009).
- E. faecium SF68 supplementation significantly lowered the rates of diarrhea in sheltered cats, but not dogs (Bybee et al., 2011).
- Recent studies have suggested that E. faecium SF68 improved the clinical response to treatment of generalized demodecosis (publication pending).
- Evidence gathered to date suggests that E. faecium SF68 has immune modulating effects in dogs and cats and may be effective as an aid in the management of select clinical disorders.