The impact of probiotic administration on experimental in vitro and in vivo infection by Trypanosoma cruzi.

2025-10-22
Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz 120
- Denise da Gama Jaén Batista
- Lara Calheiros Missagia
- Kelly Cristina Demarque
- Gabriel Melo de Oliveira
- Marcos Meuser Batista
- Maria de Nazaré Correia Soeiro

PubMed: 41124405
DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760240272

Study Design

Population: mouse acute experimental models; peritoneal mouse macrophages (PMM) obtained from mice treated with 10^9 probiotics
Methods: The multi strain - PB8 and the Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LR) were orally administered [10^6-10^9 colony-forming units (CFU)] for seven days prior to mice infection followed for 14 daily administrations. Peritoneal mouse macrophages (PMM) were obtained from mice treated with 10^9 probiotics one day before collection and infected in vitro with or not benznidazole (BZ).

Animal Study

Background

Chagas disease (CD) caused by Trypanosoma cruzi has limited therapy. Probiotics sustain healthy microbiota, playing roles in biological events.

Objectives

Our aim was to determine the impact of probiotics on T. cruzi infection in vitro and in mouse acute experimental models.

Methods

The multi strain - PB8 and the Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LR) were orally administered [106-109 colony-forming units (CFU)] for seven days prior to mice infection followed for 14 daily administrations. Peritoneal mouse macrophages (PMM) were obtained from mice treated with 109 probiotics one day before collection and infected in vitro with or not benznidazole (BZ).

Findings

LR and PB8 reduced by 44-87% and 23-16% the parasitaemia peak in male and female mice, respectively, but did not protect against mortality. Histopathology showed mild reduction in cardiac nests due to probiotics' administration. PB8 and LR suppressed the parasite infection of PMM by 24 and 26%, reaching 65 and 42% of declines, respectively when 3% thioglycolate was performed. PB8 increased BZ activity at 1 µM, reaching 40% of parasitism' declines compared to BZ alone (25%). No gender difference was noticed during probiotic in vivo administration.

Main conclusions

The results point to the potential of a combined therapeutic approach for CD, using probiotics and BZ.

Research Insights

Bifidobacterium bifidum BB-06→Improved Benznidazole Antiparasitic Activity
"PB8 increased BZ activity at 1 µM, reaching 40% of parasitism' declines compared to BZ alone (25%)."
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Bifidobacterium bifidum BB-06→Reduced Parasite Infection in Peritoneal Mouse Macrophages
"PB8 and LR suppressed the parasite infection of PMM by 24 and 26%"
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Bifidobacterium bifidum BB-06→Reduced Trypanosoma cruzi Parasitaemia
"LR and PB8 reduced by 44-87% and 23-16% the parasitaemia peak in male and female mice, respectively"
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Lactobacillus rhamnosus Lr-32→Improved Benznidazole Antiparasitic Activity
"PB8 increased BZ activity at 1 µM, reaching 40% of parasitism' declines compared to BZ alone (25%)."
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Lactobacillus rhamnosus Lr-32→Reduced Cardiac Parasite Burden
Histopathology showed mild reduction in cardiac nests due to probiotics' administration.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Lactobacillus rhamnosus Lr-32→Reduced Parasite Infection in Peritoneal Mouse Macrophages
"PB8 and LR suppressed the parasite infection of PMM by 24 and 26%"
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Lactobacillus rhamnosus Lr-32→Reduced Trypanosoma cruzi Parasitaemia
"LR and PB8 reduced by 44-87% and 23-16% the parasitaemia peak in male and female mice, respectively"
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate