Probiotics as Alternative Antimicrobial Agents Against Enteric Bacteria from Diarrheal Patients

Background: Probiotic strains are beneficial microorganisms that contribute to maintaining the balance of intestinal microflora and overall gut health. Their antimicrobial effect plays a crucial role in inhibiting the growth of intestinal pathogenic microbes. Objectives: The goal of this study is to isolate and describe probiotics from milk and dairy products and analyze their antimicrobial effect against stool specimens from diarrheic children. Methods: a cross-sectional laboratory study involving 36 children under 5 with acute diarrhea and 6 local market fermented dairy products were conducted. Isolated stool samples were cultured in selective media to identify pathogens . Dairy samples were enhanced to isolate probiotics. Antimicrobial activity was assessed by the agar well-diffusion assay Results: Four types of probiotics were identified. All isolates were Gram-positive, non-motile, indole-negative and citrate-negative. Among the isolates, probiotics 1 and probiotics 2 demonstrated the greatest antimicrobial activity, averaging inhibition zones of nearly 12 mm against E. coli and K. pneumoniae. Conclusion: Probiotic strains exhibiting antimicrobial activities can be found in locally produced dairy products. Most effective against enteric pathogens was probiotics 1 and probiotics 2, suggesting their value as biotherapeutic agents for pediatric diarrhea. Further molecular work and in vivo studies are needed.