Pediococcus acidilactici with function of treating cat ringworm and application thereof

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of microorganism, and particularly relates to a streptococcus lactis with a cat dandruff treatment function and application thereof. Pediococcus acidilactici The streptococcus lactis is preserved in the Guangdong Provincial Microbial Culture Collection Center on September 26, 2025, and the preservation number is GDMCC No: 67035. The streptococcus lactis and the inactivated bacteria solution provided in the present application have good inhibitory effects on trichophyton mentagrophytes and mycosporum gypseum. The streptococcus lactis provided in the present application can also be used for treating cat dandruff, and compared with ketoconazole cream, the streptococcus lactis has faster effect and shorter treatment cycle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of microbial technology, and in particular to a strain of *Pediococcus lactis* with therapeutic function for treating ringworm in cats and its application. Background Technology

[0002] Ringworm in cats is a common skin disease caused by fungi such as Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum gypseum. It not only infects felines but can also be transmitted to humans through contact, making it a zoonotic disease.

[0003] In terms of symptoms, early-stage infection in cats often manifests as lesions on the face, ears, and limbs. Initially, these appear as round or oval areas of hair loss, with easily broken hairs and remaining hair roots resembling small black dots, accompanied by slight dandruff. As the condition progresses, the affected skin becomes red and itchy. Frequent scratching and biting by the cat can lead to skin damage and oozing, which in turn can cause bacterial infection, forming scabs or pustules. In severe cases, the lesions may merge and spread throughout the body.

[0004] There are two main routes of infection: direct contact and indirect contact. Direct contact with the skin or fur of a sick cat or carrier animal can lead to infection; indirect contact with items such as cat beds, combs, toys, and clothing contaminated with fungi can also cause the disease.

[0005] Treatment for ringworm in cats primarily involves medication. This begins with shaving the affected area and surrounding fur, cleaning the skin with an antifungal shampoo, and then applying a topical antifungal cream (such as ketoconazole cream). In severe cases, oral antifungal medication (itraconazole) may be necessary. Treatment is lengthy and can cause nephrotoxicity in individuals with liver dysfunction, as well as side effects such as diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Incomplete treatment can lead to recurrent outbreaks and antifungal resistance, resulting in treatment failure. A small percentage of cases may experience partial hair loss after using antifungal medication.

[0006] It is evident that existing technologies still need improvement and enhancement. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to provide a strain of Pyrococcus lactis with therapeutic function for cat ringworm and its application, aiming to improve the efficacy of treatment for cat ringworm and shorten the treatment cycle.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0009] This invention provides a strain of *Pediococcus lactis* with therapeutic function for treating ringworm in cats and its application, wherein *Pediococcus lactis* ( Pediococcus acidilactici It was deposited on September 26, 2025 at the Guangdong Provincial Center for Microbial Culture Collection, located at 5th Floor, Building 59, No. 100 Xianlie Middle Road, Guangzhou, with accession number GDMCC No:67035.

[0010] The present invention also provides the use of the aforementioned *Pediococcus lactis* in the preparation of a drug for treating ringworm in cats.

[0011] The present invention also provides the application of the aforementioned *Pediococcus lactis* in inhibiting the growth of *Trichophyton mentagrophytes* or *Microsporum gypseum*.

[0012] The present invention also provides the use of the inactivated bacterial solution of the aforementioned *Pediococcus lactis* in the preparation of a drug for treating ringworm in cats.

[0013] The present invention also provides the application of the inactivated bacterial solution of the aforementioned *Pediococcus lactis* in inhibiting the growth of *Trichophyton mentagrophytes* or *Microsporum gypseum*.

[0014] Beneficial Effects: This invention provides a *Pediococcus lactis* strain, with accession number GDMCC No:67035. The *Pediococcus lactis* strain and its inactivated solution can effectively inhibit the growth of *Trichophyton mentagrophytes* or *Microsporum gypseum*. It has shown significant efficacy in treating ringworm in cats, and compared to conventional antifungal ointments like ketoconazole, treatment with the *Pediococcus lactis* strain of this invention significantly shortens the treatment cycle. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 The results of the experiment on the inhibition of Trichophyton mentagrophytes by Pseudococcus lactis.

[0016] Figure 2 The results of the experiment on the inhibition of Microsporum gypseum by Pyrococcus lactis.

[0017] Figure 3 The results of an experiment on the inhibition of Trichophyton mentagrophytes by inactivated bacterial solution of Pyrococcus lactis.

[0018] Figure 4 The results of an experiment on the inhibition of Microsporum gypseum by inactivated bacterial solution of Pyrococcus lactis.

[0019] Figure 5 This is the treatment status of ringworm on the back of the neck in the Golden Shaded Cat 1 group in the positive control group.

[0020] Figure 6 This is the treatment status of ringworm on the back of the golden shaded cat 2 in the positive control group.

[0021] Figure 7 To investigate the treatment of ringworm on the top of the head of the golden shaded cat in the treatment group 2.

[0022] Figure 8 The treatment of ringworm on the back of two cats in the treatment group was conducted. Detailed Implementation

[0023] This invention provides a strain of *Pediococcus lactis* with therapeutic function for treating ringworm in cats and its applications. To make the objectives, technical solutions, and effects of this invention clearer and more explicit, the invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for explaining the invention and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0024] The following examples use Pediococcus lactis with the accession number GDMCC No:67035.

[0025] Example 1: Antibacterial experiment against Pediococcus lactis

[0026] 1. Experiment on the inhibition of Trichophyton mentagrophytes by Pyrococcus lactis

[0027] 1.1 The Trichophyton mentagrophytes were cultured on PDA medium for seven days, 20 mL of Ringer's solution was added, and spores were gently scraped to prepare a spore suspension;

[0028] 1.2 Take 100µL of the diluted spore suspension and drop it onto the modified MRS solid medium (MRS:PDA=7:3). Spread it evenly using a sterile spreader. Set up three parallel experimental groups, one culture dish for each group, and set up a blank control (only fungal suspension added, no bacteria added).

[0029] 1.3 Place the solid culture medium coated with fungi in a 28℃ fungal incubator and observe the fungal growth;

[0030] 1.4 On the fourth day of fungal growth, Pycnococcus lactis was applied to the culture medium to observe whether the probiotics inhibited the growth of the fungus.

[0031] Figure 1 The culture medium was inoculated with Pediococcus lactis 4 days later. The two horizontal colonies in the middle of the culture medium were Pediococcus lactis, which showed that Pediococcus lactis formed a clear inhibition zone in the Trichophyton mentagrophytes culture medium.

[0032] 2. Experiment on the inhibition of Microsporum gypseum by Pyrococcus lactis

[0033] 2.1 Microsporum gypseum was cultured on CPDA medium for seven days, 20 mL of Ringer's solution was added, and spores were gently scraped off to prepare a spore suspension;

[0034] 2.2 Take 100µL of the diluted spore suspension and drop it onto the modified MRS solid medium (MRS:CPDA=7:3). Spread it evenly using a sterile spreader. Set up three parallel experimental groups, one culture dish for each group, and set up a blank control (only fungal suspension added, no bacteria added).

[0035] 2.3 Place the solid culture medium coated with fungi in a 28℃ fungal incubator and observe the fungal growth;

[0036] 2.4 On the fourth day of fungal growth, Pycnococcus lactis was applied to the culture medium to observe whether the probiotics inhibited the growth of the fungi.

[0037] Figure 2 The culture medium was inoculated with Pediococcus lactis 4 days later. The two horizontal colonies in the middle of the culture medium were Pediococcus lactis. It can be seen that Pediococcus lactis formed a clear inhibition zone in the Microsporum gypsum culture medium.

[0038] Example 2: Antibacterial experiment of inactivated bacterial solution of Pediococcus lactis

[0039] 1. Experiment on the inhibition of Trichophyton mentagrophytes by inactivated Pyrococcus lactis solution.

[0040] 1.1 Inoculate *Pediococcus lactis* into MRS liquid medium and culture for 11 hours in a shaker (160 r / min, 37 ℃);

[0041] 1.2 The cultured bacterial solution was placed in a clean bench and irradiated with ultraviolet light for 5 hours to obtain an inactivated bacterial solution;

[0042] 1.3 The Trichophyton mentagrophytes were spread on modified MRS solid medium (MRS:PDA=7:3) and incubated in a fungal incubator at 28°C for 3 days. After that, the autoclaved filter paper was soaked in the sterilization solution and then attached to the surface of the solid medium coated with Trichophyton mentagrophytes.

[0043] 1.4 After culturing in a fungal incubator at 28℃ for 4 days, observe the fungal inhibition.

[0044] Figure 3 The results after 4 days of incubation show that the inactivated bacterial solution of *Pediococcus lactis* formed a clear inhibition zone in the culture medium of *Trichophyton mentagrophytes*.

[0045] 2. Experiment on the inhibition of Microsporum gypseum by inactivated bacterial solution of Pediococcus lactis

[0046] 2.1 Inoculate *Pediococcus lactis* into MRS liquid medium and culture for 11 hours in a shaker (160 r / min, 37 ℃);

[0047] 2.2 The cultured bacterial solution was placed in a clean bench and irradiated with ultraviolet light for 5 hours to obtain an inactivated bacterial solution;

[0048] 2.3 Spread Microsporum gypsum on modified MRS solid medium (MRS:CPDA=7:3), and incubate in a fungal incubator at 28℃ for 3 days. Then, soak autoclaved filter paper discs in the sterilization solution and attach them to the surface of the solid medium coated with Microsporum gypsum.

[0049] 2.4 After culturing in a fungal incubator at 28℃ for another 4 days, observe the fungal inhibition.

[0050] Figure 4 The results after 4 days of incubation show that the inactivated bacterial solution of *Pediococcus lactis* formed a clear inhibition zone in the culture medium of *Microsporum gypsum*.

[0051] Example 3 Animal Experiment

[0052] The treatment group (Pediococcus lactis bacterial solution), the positive control group (ketoconazole cream), and the negative control group were set up.

[0053] The treatment group used Pediococcus lactis bacterial suspension. The preparation method of Pediococcus lactis bacterial suspension is as follows: Pediococcus lactis was inoculated into MRS liquid medium, and centrifuge tubes containing the medium were placed in a shaker at 160 rpm for 11 hours; after incubation, the suspension was aliquoted into 15 mL centrifuge tubes and stored in a 4℃ refrigerator for later use; the treatment method for ringworm in cats was as follows: the fur on the affected areas of the cat was shaved to expose the skin, and then Pediococcus lactis bacterial suspension was applied to the affected area with a medical cotton swab once a day. A photo was taken before each application, and Wood's lamp was used to determine whether the ringworm had disappeared.

[0054] The positive control group received ketoconazole cream. The treatment method was as follows: the hair on the cat with ringworm was removed to expose the skin, and then ketoconazole cream was applied to the affected area with a medical cotton swab once a day. A photo was taken before each application, and Wood's lamp was used to determine whether the ringworm had disappeared.

[0055] The negative control group received no treatment and had their skin condition recorded by taking photos daily.

[0056] To better quantify the treatment effect of ringworm in cats, the skin condition of the cats was scored daily in the experiment, and the scoring criteria were as follows:

[0057]

[0058] Table 1 shows the skin condition scores for each group:

[0059] Table 1

[0060]

[0061] As shown in Table 1, due to the limited number of cats available for the experiment, treatment experiments were conducted at different locations on the same cat.

[0062] Figure 5 This section describes the treatment of ringworm on the back of the neck in the Golden Shaded Cat 1 group within the positive control group. Figure 5 'a' represents the condition on day 0 of treatment, where obvious redness and swelling of the skin are visible. Figure 5 Figure b shows the condition on the 9th day of treatment, where the redness and swelling of the skin have disappeared; Figure 5 C represents the condition on day 11 of treatment, where the skin scaling has disappeared; Figure 5 d represents the condition on day 17 of treatment, when skin and hair begin to grow. Figure 5 The image shows the condition on day 29 of treatment, where some areas of the skin showed signs of hair loss.

[0063] Figure 6 In the positive control group, the treatment of ringworm on the back of two cats in the Golden Shaded Cat 2 was observed. Figure 6 'a' represents the condition on day 0 of treatment, where obvious redness and swelling of the skin are visible. Figure 6 Figure b shows the condition on the 5th day of treatment, where the redness and swelling of the skin have disappeared; Figure 6 C represents the condition on day 9 of treatment, where the dandruff has disappeared; Figure 6 d represents the condition on day 11 of treatment, when skin and hair begin to grow.

[0064] Based on the results of the positive control group, ketoconazole cream showed preliminary efficacy in 5 to 13 days. However, due to individual differences in condition and treatment site, complete hair growth could occur as quickly as 17 days or as slowly as 30 days. Furthermore, some treated areas still had hair loss by the end of the experiment.

[0065] Figure 7 This section describes the treatment of ringworm on the crown of a golden shaded cat (model 2) in the treatment group. Figure 7 'a' represents the condition on day 0 of treatment, where obvious redness and swelling of the skin are visible. Figure 7 Figure b shows the condition on the 3rd day of treatment, where the redness and swelling of the skin have disappeared; Figure 7 C represents the condition on day 5 of treatment, where the skin scales have completely disappeared; Figure 7 d represents the condition on day 7 of treatment, when skin and hair begin to grow. Figure 7 The figure 'e' represents the condition on day 11 of treatment, when skin and hair begin to grow.

[0066] Figure 8 This section describes the treatment of ringworm on the back of two cats in the treatment group, including... Figure 8 'a' represents the condition on day 0 of treatment, where obvious redness and swelling of the skin are visible. Figure 8 Figure b shows the condition on the 3rd day of treatment, where the redness and swelling of the skin have disappeared; Figure 8 C represents the condition on day 5 of treatment, where the dandruff has disappeared; Figure 8 d represents the condition on day 7 of treatment, when skin and hair begin to grow. Figure 8 The value of 'e' represents the condition on day 9 of treatment, when the skin and hair have fully grown back.

[0067] The results of the comprehensive treatment group show that the treatment of ringworm with P. lactococcus solution in cats has a preliminary curative effect in about 3 days. Depending on the individual condition and the treatment site, the skin and hair can grow back completely in as little as 11 days, and in the slowest it will only take about 15 days.

[0068] The cats in the negative control group did not receive treatment for ringworm. During this period, the ringworm did not heal on its own, and the skin remained red and swollen with no hair growth.

[0069] A comprehensive comparison of the treatment effects between the positive control group and the treatment group shows that using P. lactis bacterial solution to treat ringworm in cats results in a shorter treatment cycle and faster onset of action.

[0070] It is understood that those skilled in the art can make equivalent substitutions or modifications to the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, and all such substitutions or modifications should fall within the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A strain of *Pediococcus lactis* with therapeutic function for treating ringworm in cats, characterized in that, The lactic acid cocci ( Pediococcus acidilactici The fungus was deposited at the Guangdong Provincial Center for Microbial Culture Collection on September 26, 2025, with accession number GDMCCNo:67035. The fungus described is caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes or Microsporum gypseum.

2. The use of the *Pediococcus lactis* as described in claim 1 in the preparation of a medicament for treating ringworm in cats, wherein the ringworm is caused by *Trichophyton mentagrophytes* or *Microsporum gypseum*.

3. The application of *Pediococcus lactis* as described in claim 1 in inhibiting the growth of *Trichophyton mentagrophytes* or *Microsporum gypseum*, wherein the application is for non-disease treatment purposes.

4. The use of the inactivated bacterial solution of *Pediococcus lactis* as described in claim 1 in the preparation of a drug for treating ringworm in cats, wherein the ringworm is caused by *Trichophyton mentagrophytes* or *Microsporum gypseum*.

5. The application of the inactivated bacterial solution of *Pediococcus lactis* as described in claim 1 in inhibiting the growth of *Trichophyton mentagrophytes* or *Microsporum gypseum*, wherein the application is for non-disease treatment purposes.

Images