2568. Mechanisms of a Specific Probiotic Comprised of Lactobacillus acidophilus CL1285, L. casei LBC80R and L. rhamnosus CLR2 that Interferes with Clostridioides difficile 20291 Toxin Production

BACKGROUND: Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI) result from antibiotic use and cause severe diarrhea (C. difficile-associated diarrhea, CDAD) which is life-threatening and costly. A specific probiotic containing Lactobacillus acidophilus CL1285, L. casei LBC80R and L. rhamnosus CLR2 (Bio-K+) has demonstrated benefits in preventing CDI and has a strong inhibitory effect on the growth of several nosocomial C. difficile strains in vitro. Many Lactobacilli can inhibit CD growth though lactic acidification. Here, we have investigated novel acid-independent mechanisms by which these strains impair C. difficile virulence. METHODS: The hypervirulent strain C. difficile R20291 was co-cultured anaerobically with Bio-K+ probiotic strains in various media and glucose concentrations (5 g/L, 3 g/L, 0 g/L), for 24 hours at 37°C. Parameters such as Log CFU, pH, Toxin A and B, cell cytotoxicity were measured. Statistical comparisons using ANOVA one-way was performed in order to determine whether the groups were significantly different. RESULTS: At 5 g/L glucose, no C. difficile toxin was produced and co-culture with these lactobacilli resulted in potent acidification and growth inhibition. At 3 g/L glucose, C. difficile toxin production occurred and acidification by the lactobacilli resulted in growth inhibition as well as >99% reduced Toxin A and B production. In the absence of glucose and a starting pH of 7.0, TY broth, the lactobacilli did not acidify the medium and C. difficile growth was normal yet Toxin A and B production was partially reduced at, 20% and 41% lower. Toxin B from the supernatant of C. difficile grown in TY was cytotoxic to human fibroblast cells, but this was less cytotoxic when co-cultured with the Lactobacilli. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the combination of L. acidophilus CL1285, L. casei LBC80R and L. rhamnosus CLR2 interferes with C. difficile pathogenesis through: 1) inhibition of C. difficile growth (via lactic acid secretion), 2) reduced toxin A/B synthesis and (3) toxin neutralization. These results might explain the strain specificity of Bio-K+ probiotic bacteria in potentially preventing C. difficile-associated diarrhea in antibiotic treated patients. [Image: see text] DISCLOSURES: All authors: No reported disclosures.