Streptococcus thermophilus is a lactic acid bacterium of importance in the food industry. This microorganism is used as an initial culture for the production of fermented dairy products, such as yogurt and cheese.
This bacterium converts lactose into lactic acid through an enzyme called β-galactosidase. This facilitates digestion and avoids the typical discomforts of this condition, such as flatulence, stomach pain, and vomiting.
Control of acute diarrhea
Likewise, it is an excellent adjunct in the treatment of acute diarrhea caused by pathogenic bacteria.
In this sense, probiotics act as antagonists of pathological processes. They do this through competition with pathogens for nutrients and binding to host cells.
In addition, probiotics can produce antioxidants and antimicrobial substances that alter the local pH, stimulate mucin production, improve the functions of the intestinal barrier and modify toxins derived from pathogens.
Control of diarrhea caused by antibiotic therapy
It is known that broad-spectrum antibiotic therapies can destroy the intestinal microbiota, causing an imbalance in it, where microorganisms resistant to the drug proliferate disproportionately. This causes episodes of diarrhea, among other discomforts.
S. thermophilus is believed to protect the small intestine, helping to restore the lost gastrointestinal microbiota.
This microorganism favors the proliferation of other probiotic bacteria, while preventing the growth of pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms.
Its contribution consists in reducing the side effects caused by the treatment for the eradication of H. pylori, which increases the tolerability and efficacy of the therapy.
The mechanism of action of probiotics in this regard can be attributed to their ability to stimulate the immune mechanisms of the mucosa.
These include activation of local macrophages, increased antigen presentation, and modulation of cytokine profiles.
On the other hand, it has been shown that yogurt supplemented with probiotics (L. acidophilus, L. bulgaricus, B. lactis, S. thermophilus) reduces colonization by H. pylori, the expression of TNF-α, gastric inflammation and metaplasia.
References
- Montes M, García J. Genus Streptococcus: a practical review for the microbiology laboratory Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin 2007; 25 Suppl 3: 14-20
- Wikipedia contributors. Streptococcus thermophilus. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. August 25, 2018, 09:14 UTC. Available at: en.wikipedia.org/ Accessed September 7, 2018.
- Ruggiero P. Use of probiotics in the fight against Helicobacter pylori. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2014; 5 (4): 384-391.
- Rul F, Ben-Yahia L, Chegdani F, et al. Impact of the Metabolic Activity of Streptococcus thermophilus on the Colon Epithelium of Gnotobiotic Rats. J Biol Chem. 2011; 286 (12): 10288-10296. doi: 10.1074 / jbc.M110.168666.
- White P. Characterization of Streptococcus thermophilus bacteria isolated from raw bovine, ovine and goat milk., Montevideo: University of the Republic (Uruguay). Science Faculty. 2015..
- Binetti A, Del Río B, Martín M, Álvarez M. Detection and Characterization of Streptococcus thermophilus Bacteriophages by Use of the Antireceptor Gene Sequence. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 2005; 71 (10): 6096–6103.
- Koneman, E, Allen, S, Janda, W, Schreckenberger, P, Winn, W. (2004). Microbiological Diagnosis. (5th ed.). Argentina, Editorial Panamericana SA