ALTERNATIVES TO ANTIBIOTIC USE: PROBIOTICS FOR THE GUT

Developed countries are not immune from serious food-borne diseases, and the source is often the intestine of cattle, sheep and poultry livestock. Outbreaks of Escherichia coli 0157, most recently killing people in Ontario, and of salmonella and shigella food poisoning especially during summer months, remind us of the seriousness of the problem. Thus, there is renewed interest in alternative approaches to antibiotics to control bacterial diseases, both in humans and veterinary medicine.3-4 Consumers are believed to be concerned not only about bacterial pathogens being in meat, but also that residues of antibiotics may also be present. The trend to “natural” farming without exposure to chemicals, pesticides and herbicides could be one reason for increased interest in probiotics for livestock farming.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Funding from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and Kidney Foundation of Canada for probiotic research is appreciated.