Current and future uses of real-time polymerase chain reaction and microarrays in the study of intestinal microbiota, and probiotic use and effectiveness

• Published in: Canadian journal of microbiology Vol. 53; no. 5; pp. 537 - 550
• Main Authors: Carey, C.M, Kirk, J.L, Ojha, S, Kostrzynska, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ottawa, ON National Research Council of Canada 01.05.2007; NRC Research Press; Canadian Science Publishing NRC Research Press
• Subjects: Animals; Bacteria; bactéries lactiques; Biological and medical sciences; community ecology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gene expression; Genetic aspects; Humans; Inflammatory bowel disease; intestinal microorganisms; Intestinal mucosa; Intestines; Intestines - microbiology; Investigations; Irritable bowel syndrome; lactic acid bacteria; literature reviews; messenger RNA; microarray technology; microarrays; microbial competition; microbial growth; Microbiology; micropuces à ADN; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis - methods; PCR en temps réél; Physiological aspects; Polymerase chain reaction; population dynamics; population ecology; Probiotics; Probiotics - administration & dosage; Probiotics - pharmacology; Probiotics - therapeutic use; probiotiques; Properties; real time polymerase chain reaction; real-time PCR; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods; Studies; Canada; Probiotic; Polymerase chain reaction; Lactic acid bacteria; Digestive system; DNA; Gut; Microflora; Microarray; Real time
• ISSN: 0008-4166; 1480-3275
• DOI: 10.1139/W07-039

Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms that confer a health benefit to the host when administered in adequate amounts. In addition to human health benefits, probiotics can improve various aspects of growth and performance in livestock and poultry, as well as control undesirable microorganisms in food animals. Studies indicate that probiotics can prevent or treat certain conditions, including atopic disease in infants, food allergy, infection after surgery, acute diarrhea, and symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome. Understanding the complete mechanism, effectiveness, and potential use of probiotics is limited by the availability and sensitivity of current methods (i.e., culturing techniques). In recent years, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and microarrays have become prominent and promising methods to examine quantitative changes of specific members of the microbial community and the influence of probiotics on the structure and function of human and animal intestinal ecosystems. Culture-independent studies have established that only a fraction of organisms present in feces are cultivable, therefore, results obtained by cultivation are limited. Conversely, in-depth knowledge of microbial genomes has enabled real-time PCR and microarrays to be more sensitive and has resulted in precise methods for comprehensive analysis of the complex gut microbiota. Additionally, these technologies can assess the influence of intestinal microorganisms on host metabolism, nutrient status, and disease. This paper reviews method technologies and applications of real-time PCR and microarray assays as they relate to the effect and use of probiotics on the intestinal microbiota and gastrointestinal disease.