Prebiotics-a viable prophylaxis against Salmonella typhii

Summary

So far, majority of the preventive effect of prebiotics has been on animal models. However, several in vitro studies using 2D and 3D cell cultures mimicking the environmental condition as well as various organisms present within the gut of man had shown the efficacy of prebiotics in reducing the attachment of enteropathogenic organisms like S. typhi to the gut epithelium. In vivo studies with human have been able to prove its efficacy in preventing diseases such as Inflammatory bowel disease, traveler’s diarrhea and colitis. Despite little or no in vivo studies in man as to the effectiveness of  prebiotics in combating S. typhi, it is not withstanding still a promising concept as several in vitro studies had shown its efficacy. Furthermore, the lack of mutagenicity and genotoxicity of prebiotics as well as a few side effects (diarrhea, gas and bloating) resulting from overdose makes it even more promising as a preventive medicine. Moreover they are known to boost immune functions of the gut thereby increasing the natural resistance of the host to pathogens without altering the normal flora of the gut.