Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Encyclopedia
Lactobacillus rhamnosus is a bacterium that was originally considered to be a subspecies of L. casei
, but later genetic research found it to be a species of its own. Some strains of L. rhamnosus are being used as probiotics. The species is sometimes used in yogurt and other dairy product
s. Some studies have been done on its in vivo effects. While frequently considered a beneficial organism, L. rhamnosus has been discovered to be pathogen
ic in certain circumstances.
of L. rhamnosus isolated in 1983 from the intestinal tract of a healthy human being; filed for patent on 17 April 1985, by Sherwood Gorbach and Barry Goldin. (The 'GG' derives from the first letters of their surnames'). The patent refers to a strain of "L. acidophilus GG" with American Type Culture Collection
(ATCC) Accession No. 53103; later reclassified as a strain of L. rhamnosus. The patent claims the L. rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103) strain is acid– and bile–stable, has a great avidity
for human intestinal mucosal cells, and produces lactic acid.
Gorbach and Goldin have published studies of L. rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103) demonstrating it tolerates the acidic conditions of the stomach, and the bile acids of the small intestine. As a probiotic
, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is claimed to colonize the digestive tract, and to balance intestinal microflora; however, Lactobacillus rhamnosus is more likely a transient inhabitant, not autochthonous. In 2005, L. rhamnosus GG was first successfully used to treat gastrointestinal carriage of vancomycin-resistant enterococcus
(VRE) in renal patients.
The clinical health effects of L. rhamnosus GG have been widely studied. Both L. rhamnosus GG and L. rhamnosus GR-1 appear to protect the urogenital tract by excreting biosurfactants to inhibit the adhesion of vaginal and urinary pathogens. Lactobacillus also releases acids, bacteriocins, and hydrogen peroxide
which inhibit the pathogen growth. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG has also been shown beneficial in the prevention of rotavirus
diarrhea in children. The prevention and treatment of various types of diarrhea has been shown both in children and in adults. L. rhamnosus GG has also been associated with a reduction in the risk of respiratory tract infections in children.
The use of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG for probiotic therapy has been linked with very rare cases of sepsis
in certain risk groups. Ingestion of L. rhamnosus GG is, nevertheless, considered to be safe, and data from Finland show a significant growth in the consumption of L. rhamnosus GG at the population level has not led to an increase in the number of Lactobacillus bacteraemia cases.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG has also shown potential in treatment and primary prevention of atopic dermatitis, but the results of intervention trials have been mixed. A clinical trial with seven-year follow-up shows L. rhamnosus GG is useful in the prevention of atopic dermatitis in children at high risk of allergy.
The genome sequence of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103) has been decoded.
In 1990, Finnish company Valio launched Valio Gefilus, a family of products containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103), for which they also use the trademark LGG. Valio has licenced rights to LGG to several companies, including Amerifit Brands in the United States (Culturelle), Oriola in Finland
(Gefilus and LGG) and Dukat in Croatia
(LGG).
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus casei is a species of genus Lactobacillus found in the human intestine and mouth. As a lactic acid producer, it has been found to assist in the propagation of desirable bacteria. This particular species of Lactobacillus is documented to have a wide pH and temperature range, and...
, but later genetic research found it to be a species of its own. Some strains of L. rhamnosus are being used as probiotics. The species is sometimes used in yogurt and other dairy product
Dairy product
Dairy products are generally defined as foods produced from cow's or domestic buffalo's milk. They are usually high-energy-yielding food products. A production plant for such processing is called a dairy or a dairy factory. Raw milk for processing comes mainly from cows, and, to a lesser extent,...
s. Some studies have been done on its in vivo effects. While frequently considered a beneficial organism, L. rhamnosus has been discovered to be pathogen
Pathogen
A pathogen gignomai "I give birth to") or infectious agent — colloquially, a germ — is a microbe or microorganism such as a virus, bacterium, prion, or fungus that causes disease in its animal or plant host...
ic in certain circumstances.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103)
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103) is a strainStrain (biology)
In biology, a strain is a low-level taxonomic rank used in three related ways.-Microbiology and virology:A strain is a genetic variant or subtype of a micro-organism . For example, a "flu strain" is a certain biological form of the influenza or "flu" virus...
of L. rhamnosus isolated in 1983 from the intestinal tract of a healthy human being; filed for patent on 17 April 1985, by Sherwood Gorbach and Barry Goldin. (The 'GG' derives from the first letters of their surnames'). The patent refers to a strain of "L. acidophilus GG" with American Type Culture Collection
American Type Culture Collection
The American Type Culture Collection is a private, not-for-profit biological resource center whose mission focuses on the acquisition, authentication, production, preservation, development and distribution of standard reference microorganisms, cell lines and other materials for research in the...
(ATCC) Accession No. 53103; later reclassified as a strain of L. rhamnosus. The patent claims the L. rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103) strain is acid– and bile–stable, has a great avidity
Avidity
In proteins, avidity is a term used to describe the combined strength of multiple bond interactions. Avidity is distinct from affinity, which is a term used to describe the strength of a single bond...
for human intestinal mucosal cells, and produces lactic acid.
Gorbach and Goldin have published studies of L. rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103) demonstrating it tolerates the acidic conditions of the stomach, and the bile acids of the small intestine. As a probiotic
Probiotic
Probiotics are live microorganisms thought to be beneficial to the host organism. According to the currently adopted definition by FAO/WHO, probiotics are: "Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host"...
, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is claimed to colonize the digestive tract, and to balance intestinal microflora; however, Lactobacillus rhamnosus is more likely a transient inhabitant, not autochthonous. In 2005, L. rhamnosus GG was first successfully used to treat gastrointestinal carriage of vancomycin-resistant enterococcus
Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus
Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, or vancomycin-resistant enterococci , are bacterial strains of the genus Enterococcus that are resistant to the antibiotic vancomycin. To become VRE, vancomycin-sensitive enterococci typically obtain new DNA in the form of plasmids or transposons which encode...
(VRE) in renal patients.
The clinical health effects of L. rhamnosus GG have been widely studied. Both L. rhamnosus GG and L. rhamnosus GR-1 appear to protect the urogenital tract by excreting biosurfactants to inhibit the adhesion of vaginal and urinary pathogens. Lactobacillus also releases acids, bacteriocins, and hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is the simplest peroxide and an oxidizer. Hydrogen peroxide is a clear liquid, slightly more viscous than water. In dilute solution, it appears colorless. With its oxidizing properties, hydrogen peroxide is often used as a bleach or cleaning agent...
which inhibit the pathogen growth. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG has also been shown beneficial in the prevention of rotavirus
Rotavirus
Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhoea among infants and young children, and is one of several viruses that cause infections often called stomach flu, despite having no relation to influenza. It is a genus of double-stranded RNA virus in the family Reoviridae. By the age of five,...
diarrhea in children. The prevention and treatment of various types of diarrhea has been shown both in children and in adults. L. rhamnosus GG has also been associated with a reduction in the risk of respiratory tract infections in children.
The use of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG for probiotic therapy has been linked with very rare cases of sepsis
Sepsis
Sepsis is a potentially deadly medical condition that is characterized by a whole-body inflammatory state and the presence of a known or suspected infection. The body may develop this inflammatory response by the immune system to microbes in the blood, urine, lungs, skin, or other tissues...
in certain risk groups. Ingestion of L. rhamnosus GG is, nevertheless, considered to be safe, and data from Finland show a significant growth in the consumption of L. rhamnosus GG at the population level has not led to an increase in the number of Lactobacillus bacteraemia cases.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG has also shown potential in treatment and primary prevention of atopic dermatitis, but the results of intervention trials have been mixed. A clinical trial with seven-year follow-up shows L. rhamnosus GG is useful in the prevention of atopic dermatitis in children at high risk of allergy.
The genome sequence of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103) has been decoded.
In 1990, Finnish company Valio launched Valio Gefilus, a family of products containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103), for which they also use the trademark LGG. Valio has licenced rights to LGG to several companies, including Amerifit Brands in the United States (Culturelle), Oriola in Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
(Gefilus and LGG) and Dukat in Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
(LGG).