Effect of Lactobacillus sporogenes (probiotic) on certain parasitological and molecular aspects in Schistosoma mansoni infected mice

The prospective effects of Lactobacillus sporogenes (probiotics) and/or praziquantel (PZQ) treatment on some parasitological, histological and molecular aspects in Schistosoma mansoni infected mice were studied. The present data recorded that combination between PZQ (300 mg/Kg one dose 7 weeks post infection) and L. sporogenes (12.5 million spore/mice/week for 8 weeks from the first day of infection) reduced worm and ova count. Also, oogram patterns in liver and intestine recorded that treatment with L. sporogenes alone increase number of dead eggs especially in intestine. Histological observations showed significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the mean values of granuloma diameters in liver and intestine in infected mice groups treated with PZQ and/or L. sporogenes. Single strand breaks (comet assay) showed increase in number of damaged and strong damaged lymphocyte cells in mice infected with S. mansoni and infected treated with PZQ while L. sporogenes administration reduced DNA damage. Flow cytometry also confirmed role of L. sporogenes in reducing significantly DNA damage according to determination of cell cycle analysis apoptosis. It can be concluded that administration of L. sporogenes accompanied with PZQ treatment ameliorates the hepatic and intestinal damage caused by S. mansoni infection.