Porcine model study finds that Bacillus strain from Bio-Cat may support immunity when exposed to foodborne pathogens

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A recent study¹ investigated the effects of a probiotic strain, Bacillus subtilis MB40 (MB40) from Bio-Cat Inc. (Troy, VA), on the immunity of piglets exposed to foodborne pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes (LM). In the study, 32 three-week old piglets were given either a basal diet, basal diet with LM challenge, an MB40 supplemented diet, and an MB40 supplemented diet with LM challenge for 14 days. Results showed that MB40 supplementation reduced LM bacterial counts in the liver and spleen by 67% and 49%, respectively, compared to basal diet. MB40 supplementation was also associated with decreased circulating concentrations of monocytes, which were shown to increase in response to LM challenge.

“The lowering of bacterial infection in the liver and spleen with MB40 may have contributed to decreased systemic inflammation, given the lower plasma concentrations of monocytes compared to challenged animals consuming a basal diet,” wrote the study’s authors. “These data demonstrate the efficacy of administering MB40 for as little as 1 week in significantly reducing visceral LM dissemination and invasion of visceral organs.”

"The continued science on Bacillus strains – not just in humans but also in animals, further supports that spores should be high on the list when considering new probiotic applications,” offered Jessica Spears, director of Research and Development for Probiotics at BIO-CAT Microbials, in a press release. “It was encouraging to see that the inclusion of Bacillus subtilis MB40 spores in the diet helped improve innate immunity.”

Reference

Garvey, S.M.; Emami, N.K.; Guice, J.L.; Sriranganathan, N.; Penet, C.; Rhoads, R.P.; Spears, J.L.; Dalloul, R.A.; El-Kadi, S.W. The Probiotic Bacillus subtilis MB40 Improves Immunity in a Porcine Model of Listeriosis. Microorganisms. 2023, 11(8): 2110. DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11082110