COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR INHIBITING PATHOGENIC GROWTH
The invention includes methods and compositions for treating an animal to inhibit the incidence and growth of E. coli O157:H7 and other pathogenic bacteria. The treatment method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of Lactobacillus acidophilus or one or a combination of a number of other probiotic bacteria to an animal. An alternative treatment method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a lactic acid producing bacterium such as Lactobacillus acidophilus in combination with a lactate utilizing bacterium such as Propionibacterium freudenreichii.
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21 . The composition according to claim 68 , wherein the Lactobacillus acidophilus is a Lactobacillus acidophilus strain selected from the group consisting of M35, C28, LA51 and L411 in combination with animal feed or water.
22 . The composition of claim 21 , wherein the Lactobacillus acidophilus strain is C28 or LA51.
23 . The composition of claim 22 , wherein the Lactobacillus acidophilus strain is LA51.
24 . The composition of claim 21 , wherein the Lactobacillus acidophilus is present in the animal feed in an amount of greater than 1×10 8 CFU for each quantity of food or water equal to the amount eaten or drunk by one animal in one day.
25 . The composition of claim 22 , wherein the Lactobacillus acidophilus is present in the animal feed in an amount of greater than 1×10 8 CFU for each quantity of food or water equal to the amount eaten or drunk by one animal in one day.
26 . The composition of claim 23 , wherein the Lactobacillus acidophilus is present in the animal feed in an amount of greater than 1×10 8 CFU for each quantity of food or water equal to the amount eaten or drunk by one animal in one day.
27 . The composition of claim 21 , wherein the Lactobacillus acidophilus is present in the animal feed in an amount of about 1×10 9 CFU for each quantity of food or water equal to the amount eaten or drunk by one animal in one day.
28 . The composition of claim 22 , wherein the Lactobacillus acidophilus is present in the animal feed in an amount of about 1×10 9 CFU for each quantity of food or water equal to the amount eaten or drunk by one animal in one day.
29 . The composition of claim 23 , wherein the Lactobacillus acidophilus is present in the animal feed in an amount of about 1×10 9 CFU for each quantity of food or water equal to the amount eaten or drunk by one animal in one day.
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68 . A composition for oral administration to a ruminant, said composition comprising Lactobacillus acidophilus that inhibits the growth of the pathogenic bacterium in the ruminant, said Lactobacillus acidophilus being provided in an amount that is therapeutically effective in reducing pathogenic infection in the ruminant when said composition is orally administered to a receiving ruminant.
69 . The composition of claim 68 , wherein said Lactobacillus acidophilus is a strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus selected from the group consisting of M35, LA51, C28 and L411 in combination with at least one of ruminant feed and water.
70 . The composition of claim 68 , wherein said Lactobacillus acidophilus strain is M35.
71 . The composition of claim 68 , wherein said Lactobacillus acidophilus strain is C28.
72 . The composition of claim 68 , wherein said Lactobacillus acidophilus strain is LA51.
73 . The composition of claim 68 , wherein said Lactobacillus acidophilus strain is L411.
74 . The composition of any one of claims 68 - 73 further comprising said Lactobacillus acidophilus being mixed in a sufficient amount with at least a portion of at least one of a ruminant's daily intake of feed and water to assure that at least 1×10 9 CFU of said Lactobacillus acidophilus is provided to the receiving ruminant on a daily basis.
75 . The composition of any one of claims 68 - 73 , further comprising said Lactobacillus acidophilus being mixed in a sufficient amount with at least a portion of at least one of a ruminant's daily intake of feed and water to assure that at least 1×10 9 CFU of said Lactobacillus acidophilus is provided to the receiving ruminant on a daily basis.
76 . The composition of claim 22 , wherein the Lactobacillus acidophilus strain is C28.