Laboratory of Animal Microbiology

Research interests

The Laboratory of Animal Microbiology is focused on the isolation and characterisation of bacteriocin-producing probiotic bacteria of the Firmicutes representatives, derived from a range of species, primarily food animals, but also including those used for sporting activities. Subsequently, the selected strains are validated in model experiments and under semi-operational conditions, with the objective of promoting animal health. We were the first to describe bacteriocin in the ruminal Enterococcus faecium strain CCM4231 (our isolate) and also described a new type of enterocin, designated Ent M, produced by our E. faecium strain AL41. Following the application of this strain and other selected strains or their bacteriocins, an antimicrobial effect and increased phagocytic activity have been observed in various animal species, including broiler rabbits, poultry, ostriches, dogs, and horses. Additionally, in rabbits, a reduction in Eimeria oocyst counts has been noted. The oxidative status and biochemical parameters were not adversely affected, and the reparative capacity of enterocytes was enhanced. The probiotic products Prorabbit and ProBiodog include the E. faecium strain EF2019 (CCM7419) and Lactobacillus fermentum (CCM 7421).

Lab equipment

  • Eddy Jet automated bacterial sample diluter for semi-automatic dilution (1:1000) and inoculation of agar plates via microsprayer
  • Hemanalyzer Cell-Dyn 3700, Abott lab., Slovensko s.r.o.-the device works on the principle of combination of impedance and laser flow cytometry.
  • Laminar microbiological safety culture box LABOX MB120 (Czech Republic)
  • Anaerobic culture box BACTRON (She Lab, Sheldon manufacturing Inc., USA)
  • Large volume autoclave Systec DB-90, Biotech Czech Republic
  • Biofermentor Sartorius -for preparation of bacterial biomass
  • Motic microscope

People

MVDr. Eva Bino, PhD.
RNDr. Anna Kandričáková, PhD.
MVDr. Andrea Lauková, CSc.
Dana Melišová
MVDr. Monika Pogány Simonová, PhD
RNDr. Jana Ščerbová, PhD.
MVDr. Natália Zábolyová