Abstract: The invention includes methods and compositions for treating an animal to inhibit the incidence and growth of E. coli O157:H7 and other pathogenic bacteria. The treatment method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of Lactobacillus animalis or one or a combination of a number of other probiotic bacteria to an animal. An alternative treatment method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a lactic acid producing bacterium such as Lactobacillus animalis in combination with a lactate utilizing bacterium such as Propionibacterium freudenreichii.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and compositions for treating an animal to inhibit the incidence and growth of E. coli O157:H7 and other pathogenic bacteria. The treatment method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of Lactobacillus animalis or one or a combination of a number of other probiotic bacteria to an animal. An alternative treatment method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a lactic acid producing bacterium such as Lactobacillus animalis in combination with a lactate utilizing bacterium such as Propionibacterium freudenreichii.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and compositions for treating an animal to inhibit the incidence and growth of E. coli O157:H7 and other pathogenic bacteria. The treatment method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of Lactobacillus acidophilus or one or a combination of a number of other probiotic bacteria to an animal. An alternative treatment method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a lactic acid producing bacterium such as Lactobacillus acidophilus in combination with a lactate utilizing bacterium such as Propionibacterium freudenreichii.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions for treating an animal to inhibit the incidence and growth of E. coli O157:H7 and other pathogenic bacteria. The composition is a therapeutically effective amount of a Lactobacillus bacterium, or one, or a combination of a number of other probiotic bacteria. An alternative composition is a therapeutically effective amount of a lactic acid producing bacterium such as Lactobacillus bacterium in combination with a lactate utilizing bacterium such as Propionibacterium. One example of the Lactobacillus bacterium is Lactobacillus acidophilus, and one example of the Propionibacterium is Propionibacterium freudenreichii.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and compositions for treating an animal to inhibit the incidence and growth of E. coli O157:H7 and other pathogenic bacteria. The treatment method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of Lactobacillus acidophilus or one or a combination of a number of other probiotic bacteria to an animal. An alternative treatment method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a lactic acid producing bacterium such as Lactobacillus acidophilus in combination with a lactate utilizing bacterium such as Propionibacterium freudenreichii.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and compositions for treating an animal to inhibit the incidence and growth of E. coli O157:H7 and other pathogenic bacteria. The treatment method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of Lactobacillus acidophilus or one or a combination of a number of other probiotic bacteria to an animal. An alternative treatment method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a lactic acid producing bacterium such as Lactobacillus acidophilus in combination with a lactate utilizing bacterium such as Propionibacterium freudenreichii.

Abstract: Compositions and methods useful for reducing or eliminating the presence of pathogens in meat and meat products are disclosed. Administration of one or more lactic acid producing microorganisms to a live animal, to a carcass, to meat, to meat products, or in animal feed results in significant reductions in the amount of pathogens potentially harmful to humans when ingested. Synergistic effects can be achieved with the administration of multiple strains of microorganisms.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for confirming and quantifying the presence of a specific probiotic microorganism in a sample of animal feed. Hybridization and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques are applied to identify the presence of the specific probiotic microorganism in cultures grown in most probable number and serial dilution methods, after calibration of the techniques using blank and control samples.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for confirming and quantifying the presence of a specific kind of microorganism in a sample of material. Hybridization and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques are applied to identify the presence of the specific microorganism in cultures grown in most probable number and serial dilution methods, after calibration of the techniques using blank and control samples. For example, samples of animal feed can be cultured and analyzed to determine the quantity of specific probiotic microorganisms present in the feed.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and compositions for treating an animal to inhibit the incidence and growth of E. coli O157:H7 and other pathogenic bacteria. The treatment method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of Lactobacillus acidophilus or one or a combination of a number of other probiotic bacteria to an animal. An alternative treatment method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a lactic acid producing bacterium such as Lactobacillus acidophilus in combination with a lactate utilizing bacterium such as Propionibacterium freudenreichii.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method of administering an amount of a lactic acid producing bacterium such as Lactobacillus acidophilus alone or in combination with a lactate utilizing bacterium such as Propionibacterium freudenreichii effective to enhance the milk fat content of a dairy cow.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and compositions for treating an animal to inhibit the incidence and growth of E. coli O157:H7 and other pathogenic bacteria. The treatment method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of Lactobacillus acidophilus or one or a combination of a number of other probiotic bacteria to an animal. An alternative treatment method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a lactic acid producing bacterium such as Lactobacillus acidophilus in combination with a lactate utilizing bacterium such as Propionibacterium freudenreichii.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and compositions for treating an animal to inhibit the incidence and growth of E. coli O157:H7 and other pathogenic bacteria. The treatment method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of Lactobacillus acidophilus or one or a combination of a number of other probiotic bacteria to an animal. An alternative treatment method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a lactic acid producing bacterium such as Lactobacillus acidophilus in combination with a lactate utilizing bacterium such as Propionibacterium freudenreichii.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and compositions for treating an animal to inhibit the incidence and growth of E. coli O157:H7 and other pathogenic bacteria. The treatment method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of Lactobacillus acidophilus or one or a combination of a number of other probiotic bacteria to an animal. An alternative treatment method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a lactic acid producing bacterium such as Lactobacillus acidophilus in combination with a lactate utilizing bacterium such as Propionibacterium freudenreichii.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and compositions for treating an animal to inhibit the incidence and growth of E. coli O157:H7 and other pathogenic bacteria. The treatment method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of Lactobacillus acidophilus or one or a combination of a number of other probiotic bacteria to an animal. An alternative treatment method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a lactic acid producing bacterium such as Lactobacillus acidophilus in combination with a lactate utilizing bacterium such as Propionibacterium freudenreichii.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and compositions for treating an animal to inhibit the incidence and growth of E. coli O157:H7 and other pathogenic bacteria. The treatment method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of Lactobacillus acidophilus or one or a combination of a number of other probiotic bacteria to an animal. An alternative treatment method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a lactic acid producing bacterium such as Lactobacillus acidophilus in combination with a lactate utilizing bacterium such as Propionibacterium freudenreichii.

Abstract: A process for improving the utilization of feedstuffs by a ruminant, the process comprising the steps of mixing a lactic acid producing bacteria culture and a lactate utilizing bacteria culture, admixing these cultures with a dry formulation or an animal feedlot diet into a composition, and administering this composition orally to ruminants. The process may be used on a continual basis to increase meat or milk production, or used during the transition from a roughage diet to a feedlot diet to prevent or minimize acidosis. The preferred embodiment utilizes Lactobacillus acidophilus as its lactic acid producing bacteria culture and Propionibacterium P-5 as its lactate utilizing bacteria culture. The composition of the process is in a dry powder form for storage at ambient temperatures for long durations.

Abstract: A composition of a mixture of a lactic acid producing bacteria culture and a lactate utilizing bacteria culture admixed with a dry formulation or an animal feedlot diet for improving the utilization of feedstuffs by a ruminant. The composition may be used on a continual basis to increase meat or milk production, or used during the transition from a roughage diet to a feedlot diet to prevent or minimize acidosis. The preferred embodiment utilizes Lactobacillus acidaphilus as its lactic acid producing bacteria culture and Propionibacterium P-5 as its lactate utilizing bacteria culture. The composition is in a dry powder form for storage at ambient temperatures for long durations.