Isolation, identification and functional characterization of Escherichia coli as probiotic against Shigella in Bangladesh

Background: Antibiotic resistance due to misuses of antibiotics is currently became potent threat for treating patients suffering from infectious diseases in Bangladesh. It is the high time to develop some alternative placebo for the treatment of infectious diseases especially in Bangladesh. Probiotic especially E. coli could be that alternative choice of treatment against Shigella infection.
Aims: The present study was undertaken to examine the potentiality of Escherichia coli as probiotic against Shigella.
Materials and Methods: During this study, four poor hygienic areas around Chattogram City, Bangladesh were selected through survey and then human stool samples were collected. Isolation and identification of Escherichia coli were done with a combination of microbiological and PCR analysis. Probiotic activity of isolated E. coli against Shigella was determined by co-culture test.
Results: Total eight isolates were identified as Escherichia coli by microbiological and biochemical test. All the isolates were also confirmed as bacteria, coliform as well as fecal coliform through PCR. In the probiotic activity test, all the identified isolates except one showed significant result as probiotic.
Conclusion: This research identified the potentiality of Escherichia coli as probiotic to treat shigellosis in Bangladesh. The outcomes of this study might function as a strong background to develop Escherichia coli as probiotic against Shigella infection in Bangladesh.