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Microorganisms
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Clinical Applications and Validation of Probiotics: Exploring Therapeutic and Preventive...
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Clinical Applications and Validation of Probiotics: Exploring Therapeutic and Preventive Potential Across Diverse Medical Conditions

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 2128

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Francesco Broccolo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
Interests: microbiome; probiotics; preventive medicine; artificial intelligence in medicine
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Marcello Romeo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Interests: probiotics; microbiome

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Probiotics have gained increasing attention for their role in and restoration of a healthy microbiota, which is crucial for overall health.

This Special Issue of Microorganisms focuses on the use of probiotics in various clinical settings, with particular attention being paid to their role in the prevention and treatment of diverse diseases, including neuropsychiatric, autoimmune, metabolic, and gastrointestinal disorders.

The selection of probiotic strains is critical, as specific bacterial characteristics and properties must be tailored to address distinct clinical needs.

This Special Issue aims to showcase recent advances in the clinical validation of probiotic formulations and explore how novel probiotic blends can be integrated into therapeutic and preventive practices. By highlighting clinical studies and real-world applications, this issue seeks to provide valuable insights into the potential of probiotics as an adjunct or alternative approach in managing a wide array of medical conditions. 

Dr. Francesco Broccolo
Dr. Marcello Romeo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • probiotics
  • microbiota
  • clinical validation
  • therapeutic applications
  • preventive therapy
  • novel probiotic blends
  • medical conditions
  • specific strains

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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9 pages, 2244 KB  
Communication
Lactococcus lactis Strain Plasma Uniquely Induces IFN-α Production via Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Activation: A Comparative Study of Postbiotic Products
by Shigeru Fujimura, Masato Kawamura and Yurina Tamura
Microorganisms 2025, 13(10), 2261; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13102261 - 26 Sep 2025
Abstract
Postbiotics are increasingly incorporated into functional foods and supplements due to their potential health benefits, particularly immune modulation. However, the mechanisms by which these products influence antiviral immunity remain incompletely understood. Type I interferons, especially interferon-α (IFN-α), are central mediators of early antiviral [...] Read more.
Postbiotics are increasingly incorporated into functional foods and supplements due to their potential health benefits, particularly immune modulation. However, the mechanisms by which these products influence antiviral immunity remain incompletely understood. Type I interferons, especially interferon-α (IFN-α), are central mediators of early antiviral defense, acting primarily through the activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). Five commercially available postbiotic products containing heat-killed bacterial strains were evaluated for their ability to stimulate pDCs and induce IFN-α production. Bacterial uptake by pDCs was analyzed using confocal microscopy with Z-stack imaging, and IFN-α levels were quantified by ELISA. Among the tested strains, only Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma (LC-Plasma) demonstrated significant internalization by pDCs and induced measurable IFN-α production (73.8 ± 2.5 pg/mL) at the recommended daily dose. This effect was not observed with other strains, even at higher bacterial loads (up to 1 × 1011 cells). Z-stack imaging confirmed that LC-Plasma was actively phagocytosed by pDCs, whereas other strains, such as L. paracasei MCC1849, adhered to the cell surface without internalization. The pDC concentration used in the assay approximated physiological levels in human blood. Notably, the IFN-α level induced by LC-Plasma exceeded that reported in the serum of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. L. lactis strain Plasma uniquely activates pDCs and induces IFN-α production under physiologically relevant conditions, distinguishing it from other postbiotic strains. These findings suggest that LC-Plasma may serve as a functional postbiotic with the potential to enhance antiviral immunity and mitigate disease severity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Applications and Validation of Probiotics: Exploring Therapeutic and Preventive Potential Across Diverse Medical Conditions)
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Other

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17 pages, 1129 KB  
Systematic Review
The Potential of Probiotics in Reducing Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: A Literature-Based Analysis
by Tao-An Chen, Ya-Ting Chuang, Szu-Chi Pai and Jin-Fu Zheng
Microorganisms 2025, 13(4), 856; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13040856 - 9 Apr 2025
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Abstract
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) remains a significant concern in intensive care units (ICUs), contributing to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Probiotics and synbiotics have been explored as potential preventive measures due to their ability to modulate gut microbiota, reduce pathogenic colonization, enhance immune [...] Read more.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) remains a significant concern in intensive care units (ICUs), contributing to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Probiotics and synbiotics have been explored as potential preventive measures due to their ability to modulate gut microbiota, reduce pathogenic colonization, enhance immune responses, and maintain intestinal barrier integrity. While some randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggest that specific strains, such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Bifidobacterium breve, may reduce VAP incidence, larger trials have not confirmed significant benefits. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses indicate a potential 28–38% relative risk reduction in VAP, but evidence quality remains low due to methodological limitations and study heterogeneity. Economic evaluations also question the cost effectiveness of probiotic use in ICU settings. Future research should focus on large-scale, multicenter RCTs to determine the optimal strains, dosages, and administration methods, along with standardized diagnostic criteria. Until stronger evidence emerges, probiotics should be considered an adjunctive rather than a primary VAP prevention strategy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Applications and Validation of Probiotics: Exploring Therapeutic and Preventive Potential Across Diverse Medical Conditions)
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