J.Z SAIDU

Probiotics usage in enhancing immunity has gained significant attention in biomedical research, particularly as global health challenge demands safer and more sustainable therapeutic intervention. This study aims at investigating the immunomodulatory effect of Lactobacillus casei in mitigating Staphylococcus sciuri infection. The study involves five groups each containing four rats in a cage, which comprises of Control group, a group challenged with only Staphylococcus sciuri, another group challenged with only Lactobacillus casei, a fourth group pre-treated with Lactobacillus casei before being challenged with Staphylococcus sciuri, the last group being challenged with Staphylococcus sciuri before being treated with antibiotics. Blood sample was obtained from the rat after sacrificing them and was taken for hematological reading. Results indicated that the control group had the highest White Blood Cell (WBC) of 19.2±2.00(103/ µL), while the lowest was observed in the Prophylactic group 9.2±2.00 (103/ µL), low count indicates the presence of infection. The heterotrophic bacterial count in stool sample shows significant differences, with Pre-treatment bacterial count ranging from 1.34 × 107 cfu/mL (probiotic group) to 2.34 × 10 8 cfu/mL (Antibiotic group). The improvement in White Blood Cell count particularly in the content of infection suggests an increased immune response. These findings support the hypothesis that Lactobacillus casei can function as a natural immunomodulator. Recommendations suggest that probiotics like Lactobacillus casei should be integrated into therapeutic regimens to enhance immune function especially in the face of infections caused by pathogens like Staphylococcus sciuri