Background/purpose Probiotics reduce the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)
albeit only when administered at high frequency (at least daily). We have developed a novel
probiotic delivery system in which probiotics are grown as a biofilm on microspheres,
allowing enhanced efficacy with only a single treatment. Methods Neonatal rats were
subjected to experimental NEC. Pups received a single enteral dose of:(1) vehicle only,(2)
unloaded microspheres,(3) MRS (broth)-loaded microspheres,(4) Lactobacillus reuteri,(5) L …