Canine probiotic lactobacilli

Abstract

According to the invention there is provided a strain of lactic acid bacteria of the genus Lactobacilli obtainable by isolation from resected and washed canine gastrointestinal tract having a probiotic activity in animals. Methods of use and compositions comprising the Lactobacilli of the present invention are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A strain of lactic acid bacteria of the genus  Lactobacilli  obtainable by isolation from resected and washed canine gastrointestinal tract having probiotic activity and having a 16s-23s intergenic polynucleotide sequence with at least 95% homology with a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs. 1-4. 
     
     
         2 . The strain according to  claim 1  having the ability to survive and colonise the gastrointestinal tract of a companion animal. 
     
     
         3 . The strain according to  claim 2  having at least 66% growth when cultured in the presence of 0.5% bile salts. 
     
     
         4 . The strain according to  claim 2  able to maintain viability following 1 hour at pH 2.5. 
     
     
         5 . The strain according to  claim 1 , wherein the strain is a species selected from the group consisting of the species  Lactobacillus murinus/ruminus, Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus buchneri, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus lactis , or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The strain according to  claim 2  wherein the companion animal is selected from the group consisting of a dog or cat. 
     
     
         7 . A method of maintaining or improving the health of a companion animal comprising orally administering lactic acid bacteria of the genus  Lactobacilli  obtainable by isolation from resected and washed canine gastrointestinal tract and having a 16s-23s intergenic polynucleotide sequence with at least 95% homology with a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs. 1-4. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7  wherein the strain is selected for the ability to survive and colonise the gastrointestinal tract of companion animals. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein the strain has at least 66% growth when cultured in the presence of 0.5% bile salts. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein the strain is able to maintain viability following 1 hour at pH 2.5. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 7  wherein the strain is selected from the group consisting of the species  Lactobacillus murinus/ruminus, Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus buchneri, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus lactis , or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein said maintaining or improving the health of the companion animal is exhibited by a characteristic selected from the group consisting of the regulation of the immune system, treating or preventing autoimmune disease, treating or preventing inflammation, maintaining or improving the health of the skin and/or coat system, treating or preventing atopic disease of the skin, ameliorating or reducing the effects of aging in companion animals, preventing weight loss during and following infection, treating or preventing gastrointestinal infection, improving microbial ecology, reducing the levels of pathogenic bacteria in the feces, treating or preventing urinary tract ailments, increasing the degradation of oxalic acid in vitro, increasing fiber digestion, reducing stress levels, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 7  wherein the strain is fed to an animal in any amount from 1.0E+04 to 1.0E+12 CFU/animal per day. 
     
     
         14 . A composition comprising a strain of lactic acid bacteria of the genus  Lactobacilli  having a 16s-23s intergenic polynucleotide sequence with at least 95% homology with a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs. 1-4 and obtainable by isolation from resected and washed canine gastrointestinal tract having probiotic activity, and a carrier. 
     
     
         15 . The composition according to  claim 14  wherein the strain is selected for the ability to survive and colonise the gastrointestinal tract of pets. 
     
     
         16 . The composition according to  claim 15  wherein the strain has at least 66% growth when cultured in the presence of 0.5% bile salts. 
     
     
         17 . The composition according to  claim 15  wherein the strain is able to maintain viability following 1 hour at pH 2.5. 
     
     
         18 . The composition according to  claim 14 , the strain is a species selected from the group consisting of the species  Lactobacillus murinus/ruminus, Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus buchneri, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus lactis , and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The composition according to  claim 14  wherein said composition is a companion animal food or food supplement. 
     
     
         20 . The composition according to  claim 14  comprising at least 0.001% of from about 1.0E+04 CFU/g to about 1.0E+12 CFU/g of the lactic acid bacteria.