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Lactobacillus acidophilus
📚 Related Subjects: | Listeriosis | Moraxella catarrhalis | Leptospira interrogans | Lactobacillus acidophilus | Helicobacter pylori | Haemophilus parainfluenzae | Haemophilus influenzae
📖 About
- Lactobacillus acidophilus is a Gram-positive bacterium, part of the normal flora of the mouth, gut, and vagina.
- Considered a probiotic 🌱, it promotes gut and vaginal health by balancing microbial flora.
- Helps maintain a protective acidic environment, preventing colonisation by pathogens.
🔬 Characteristics
- Non-spore forming, Gram-positive bacilli.
- Non-motile 🚫🦠 (no flagella).
- Acidophilic → thrives in acidic environments.
- Ferments carbohydrates → produces lactic acid, lowering pH and inhibiting harmful microbes.
🌍 Source
- Normal resident flora of oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, and vaginal tract.
- Found in fermented foods (yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut 🥛🥒).
- Available as probiotic supplements.
⚠️ Pathogenicity
- Generally non-pathogenic ✅.
- Can contribute to dental caries 🦷 by fermenting sugars → acid production → enamel demineralisation.
- Rare opportunistic infections (bacteraemia, endocarditis) in severely immunocompromised patients.
🧪 Investigations
- Culture on acid media under 5% CO₂.
- Gram stain: Gram-positive rods.
- Biochemical confirmation: carbohydrate fermentation with lactic acid production.
💊 Resistance
- Generally sensitive to most antibiotics, but may show vancomycin resistance.
- Broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy can suppress Lactobacillus → leading to candida overgrowth (thrush) 🍄.
🛠️ Management / Clinical Use
- Used as probiotic therapy for:
- Restoring normal flora after antibiotics.
- Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and prevention of candidiasis.
- Supporting gut health and immunity.
- Dental health: reduce sugar intake and maintain oral hygiene to limit cariogenic effects.
| The content on this website is provided for educational and informational purposes only to support exam preparation (e.g., MLA, MRCP, USMLE) and learning. This is NOT medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional guidance. It does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional, official guidelines (e.g., NICE, GMC, BNF), or supervised clinical practice. Always verify information with current, authoritative sources. Makindo and its contributors accept no liability for any reliance on this content, including errors, omissions, or any resulting harm, loss, or consequences. By using this site, you agree to these terms. |
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