Strain-dependent effects of probiotic lactobacilli on EAE autoimmunity

In this study we present new data showing strain-specific differences on the effect of commercially available probiotic drinks in an EAE rat autoimmune model for multiple sclerosis. In this particular model, we conclude that these drinks do not enhance but rather suppress the disease. We suggest that conclusions on probiotics are limited to specific strains and models and not generalised. We further suggest that physiological use (normal route, normal dose, normal growth phase, specific strain or substrain/species) is studied in all. cases, so as not to overwhelm (high dose) or circumvent natural immune processing. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.