Posted on 07/28/2023 7:32:21 AM PDT by ConservativeMind
The widespread, pathogenic microbe Staphylococcus aureus can colonize the skin and mucous membranes throughout the body, particularly the vagina and gastrointestinal tract. A virulent strain of the bacterium produces toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a disease characterized by the quick onset of fever, a telltale rash, and, without treatment, multi-organ failure.
Probiotics may help prevent the disease before the cytokine cascade ever begins. A study reports that strains of two bacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, successfully inhibited the production of the superantigens that cause TSS, in lab experiments. L. Acidophilus, in addition, inhibited the growth of the S. aureus strains that produce the problematic proteins.
A combination of the two could both prevent growth and inhibit the immune response. "It's kind of a double whammy against S. aureus," said Patrick Schlievert, Ph.D. "If any toxin is made, the probiotics still prevent inflammation."
"We know that 20% of people over age 12 cannot make antibodies and never will make antibodies against toxic shock syndrome," he said.
The new work, he said, was motivated by observations made during an earlier study. A few years ago, he and his colleagues recruited 205 women to test whether a novel molecular mixture.
"Some of the women in the treatment group had this tremendous growth of Lactobacilli," Schlievert said.
Further studies revealed that nine of those women were colonized with only L. crispatus and no other bacteria. In microbiology research, Schlievert said, colonization by a single bacterium is often regarded as unhealthy. In this case, however, it offered an effective action against pathogenic S. aureus.
Lactobacillus bacteria have already been shown to be safe, Schlievert said, and the new work suggests that treatment with L. crispatus alone, or L. acidophilus and L. rhamnosus in combination, could dramatically reduce the risk of TSS in vulnerable populations.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Oral probiotics are known to sometimes colonize outside of the digestive tract, but vaginal application is what the researchers used.
There appear to be multiple options available to purchase. The cultures found best were: L. crispatus alone, and/or L. acidophilus and L. rhamnosus.
The main researcher, Patrick Schlievert, appears to be one of the key people who initially identified Toxic Shock Syndrome, decades ago, so he knows what he’s working with.
Just a spoonful of yogurt makes going down the medicine.
< /yoda voice >
They forget to put the last part in:
"without treatment, multi-organ failure." ~and certain horrific death.
Are these beneficial probiotics (yeah I did it) available OTC or do we just pick them up at the local Tractor Supply store?
Good info to know if coronavirus makes a comeback- cytokin storms were what was Killin folks it seems.
This just reminds me of how overrated vagina is.
Too bad the probiotics can’t be patented. Big pharma won’t go touch this. This won’t go anywhere.
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