Intestinal infections are the most common diseases in humans. These infections account for high morbidity and mortality and are considered to be the fifth leading cause of death at all ages worldwide. Thus, significant efforts have been directed toward the detection, control and prevention of intestinal diseases. In this regard, the field of application for probiotics has increased significantly in the past decades. The mechanisms of action of probiotics are better understood now, thanks to detailed cellular and molecular in vitro and in vivo studies. It has been clearly demonstrated that probiotics can act directly against pathogenic bacteria by producing antimicrobial agents, or by competing for nutrients. They can also be effective against intestinal pathogens by interacting with the host, either by reinforcing the function of the epithelium barrier or by modifying the immune system response. The purpose of this work is to review the current knowledge on the effects of probiotics on intestinal infections and to provide insights on the possible cellular and molecular mechanisms of probiotics? action, especially those affecting the intestinal immune system.

Fil: Alvarez, Gladis Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Bioquímica Clinica Aplicada. Cátedra de Bioquímica Clinica I; Argentina

Fil: Zelaya, María Hortensia del Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Bioquímica Clinica Aplicada. Cátedra de Bioquímica Clinica I; Argentina

Fil: Villena, Julio Cesar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; Argentina

Fil: García Cancino, Apolinaria. Universidad de Concepción; Chile

Fil: Rojas-Caro, Silvia. Universidad de Concepción; Chile

Fil: Kitazawa, Haruki. Tohoku University; Japón