Probiotic bacteria are found in the intestinal microbiota of the host and favor multiple metabolic reactions. Prebiotics provide food for probiotic bacteria and have an effect on their own performance in favor of host health. Numerous metabolic and immunological mechanisms are involved in its effects. Probiotics have been studied for several decades and their use for human consumption is still unclear. However, new types of molecules with prebiotic functions and components of probiotic bacteria with therapeutic potential are still being studied. The versatility of these molecules makes their incorporation into human food and animal diets feasible. This book is a compendium of recent scientific information on the use of probiotics and prebiotics for the benefit of human and animal health.

Recently, rapid developments have occurred in the field of viral gastroenteritis. This book is an update of fundamental and practical aspects of viral gastroenteritis. Among the various agents that cause viral gastroenteritis, group A rotaviruses and caliciviruses are the focus of this volume because of their clinical impact and the significance of new findings about them.

Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics: Bioactive Foods in Health Promotion reviews and presents new hypotheses and conclusions on the effects of different bioactive components of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics to prevent disease and improve the health of various populations. Experts define and support the actions of bacteria; bacteria modified bioflavonoids and prebiotic fibrous materials and vegetable compounds. A major emphasis is placed on the health-promoting activities and bioactive components of probiotic bacteria. - Offers a novel focus on synbiotics, carefully designed prebiotics probiotics combinations to help design functional food and nutraceutical products - Discusses how prebiotics and probiotics are complementary and can be incorporated into food products and used as alternative medicines - Defines the variety of applications of probiotics in health and disease resistance and provides key insights into how gut flora are modified by specific food materials - Includes valuable information on how prebiotics are important sources of micro-and macronutrients that modify body functions

Probiotic microorganisms are recognised as being beneficial for human health. Prebiotics are substrates that are used preferentially by the probiotic bacteria for their growth. A great deal of interest has been generated in recent years in identifying probiotic bacteria and prebiotics, their characterization, mechanisms of action and their role in the prevention and management of human health disorders. Together they are referred to as synbiotic. This book is in response to the need for more current and global scope of probiotics and prebiotics. It contains chapters written by internationally recognized authors. The book has been planned to meet the needs of the researchers, health professionals, government regulatory agencies and industries. This book will serve as a standard reference book in this important and fast-growing area of probiotics and prebiotics in human nutrition and health.

This next volume in the series will provide up to date Information and discussion on future approach to control several challenging Infectious Disease worldwide. The past decade has been highlighted by numerous advances in research of medical scientific knowledge. medical technology and the biological and diagnostic techniques-but somewhat less dramatic changes or improvement in management of medical conditions. This volume will address some of the emerging issues, challenges, and controversies in Infectious Diseases.

The term “immunobiotics” has been proposed to define microbial strains able to beneficially regulate the mucosal immune system. Research in immunobiotics has significantly evolved as researchers employed cutting-edge technologies to investigate the complex interactions of these beneficial microorganisms with the immune system. During the last decade, our understanding of immunobiotics-host interaction was profoundly transformed by the discovery of microbial molecules and host receptors involved in the modulation of gut associated immune system, as well as the systemic and distant mucosal immune systems. In recent years, there has been a substantial increase in the number of reports describing the beneficial effects of immunobiotics in diseases such as intestinal and respiratory infections, allergy, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, immunosuppression, and several other immune-mediated conditions. Evidence is also emerging of immunobiotics related molecules with immunomodulatory functions leading to the production of pharmabiotics, which may positively influence human or animal health. Therefore, research in immunobiotics continue to contribute not only to food but also medical and pharmaceutical fields. The compilation of research articles included in this ebook should help reader to have an overview of the recent advances in immunobiotics.

Every day many people suffer from intestinal diseases. These disorders can result from pathogens like bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses, but the causes of non-infectious intestinal disorders and colorectal cancers remain to be elucidated. Disturbances to the normal gut flora (the microbiota) are central to the development of many, if not all, of these disorders. Disturbed gut microbiota is a prelude to public health issues like traveller’s-, antibiotic- and Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and colorectal cancers. This book discusses the way intestinal disorders affect the microbiota, how the disturbed microbiotal balance leads to enteric disorders and the ways to prevent these disorders. Further his book explores the potential of probiotics (live microorganisms that when ingested bring a health benefit) in treating enteric disorders by analysing the probiotic genome through proteomics, metabolomics and functional assays. Discussed is how the ingestion of specific microorganisms repairs the disturbed microbiota and subsequently ameliorates enteric disorders. Finally this book addresses how genetic engineering and biotechnology will contribute to the development of effective and safe designer probiotics.