Probiotic compositions comprising lactobacillus reuteri strains and methods of use

Abstract

The present invention relates to probiotic compositions and methods for increasing animal health. The probiotic compositions include one or more isolated strains of novel Lactobacillus reuteri strains which colonizes the gastrointestinal tract to increase the health of an animal.

1 .- 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . A probiotic composition for increasing animal health comprising an isolated first  Lactobacillus reuteri  strain 3632 (ATCC PTA-126788) and an isolated second  Lactobacillus reuteri  strain 3630 (ATCC PTA-126787). 
     
     
         47 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the isolated first  Lactobacillus reuteri  strain and the isolated second  Lactobacillus reuteri  strain are present at a ratio of 0.75-1.5:1. 
     
     
         48 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the isolated first  Lactobacillus reuteri  strain and the isolated second  Lactobacillus reuteri  strain are included in an amount of 10 2 -10 8  CFU/kg of the composition. 
     
     
         49 . The composition of  claim 47 , wherein the isolated first  Lactobacillus reuteri  strain and the isolated second  Lactobacillus reuteri  strain are included in an amount of 10 4 -10 7  CFU/kg of the composition. 
     
     
         50 . The composition of  claim 46 , formulated as animal feed, feed additive, food ingredient, water additive, water-mixed additive, consumable solution, consumable spray additive, consumable solid, consumable gel or injection. 
     
     
         51 . The composition of  claim 50 , formulated as animal feed. 
     
     
         52 . The animal feed composition of  claim 51 , wherein the isolated first  Lactobacillus reuteri  strain and the isolated second  Lactobacillus reuteri  strain are present in an amount of 10 2 -10 8  CFU/kg of animal feed. 
     
     
         53 . The animal feed composition of  claim 52 , wherein the isolated first  Lactobacillus reuteri  strain and the isolated second  Lactobacillus reuteri  strain are present in an amount of 10 7  CFU/kg of animal feed. 
     
     
         54 . The composition of  claim 46 , formulated for oral administration, nasal administration, or in ovo administration. 
     
     
         55 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein each isolated individual strain is free of other living organisms and the composition contains only the individual strains  Lactobacillus reuteri  strain 3632 (ATCC PTA-126788) and strain 3630 (ATCC PTA-126787). 
     
     
         56 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the isolated first  Lactobacillus reuteri  strain and the isolated second  Lactobacillus reuteri  strain are formulated to be shelf-stable and exist outside the gastrointestinal tract. 
     
     
         57 . The composition of  claim 46 , further comprising a prebiotic, wherein the prebiotic is galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS). 
     
     
         58 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the animal is a bird, a human, or a non-human mammal. 
     
     
         59 . The composition of  claim 58 , wherein the bird is poultry. 
     
     
         60 . The composition of  claim 58 , wherein the animal is selected from chickens, turkey, dogs, cats, cattle and swine. 
     
     
         61 . The composition of  claim 58 , wherein the animal is a human. 
     
     
         62 . A probiotic composition for increasing animal health comprising an isolated first  Lactobacillus reuteri  strain 3632 (ATCC PTA-126788) and an isolated second  Lactobacillus reuteri  strain 3630 (ATCC PTA-126787), wherein the isolated first strain and the isolated second strain are present at a ratio of 0.75-1.5:1. 
     
     
         63 . The composition of  claim 62 , formulated as animal feed, feed additive, food ingredient, water additive, water-mixed additive, consumable solution, consumable spray additive, consumable solid, consumable gel or injection. 
     
     
         64 . The composition of  claim 62 , wherein each isolated individual strain is free of other living organisms and the composition contains only the individual strains  Lactobacillus reuteri  strain 3632 (ATCC PTA-126788) and strain 3630 (ATCC PTA-126787). 
     
     
         65 . A probiotic composition for increasing animal health comprising an isolated first  Lactobacillus reuteri  strain 3632 (ATCC PTA-126788) and an isolated second  Lactobacillus reuteri  strain 3630 (ATCC PTA-126787), wherein the isolated first strain and the isolated second strain are present at a ratio of 0.75-1.5:1 and are included in an amount of 10 2 -10 8  CFU/kg of the composition.