The subject invention provides materials and methods that effectively support innate immunity and/or disperse pathogenic biofilms using readily available, nontoxic, natural substances, while supporting restoration of normal microbiotic homeostasis. In one embodiment, the subject invention provides anti-biofilm compositions comprising one or more probiotic organisms, anti-microbial honey, and other ingredients such as prebiotic compounds, other hive products, green tea derivatives, other plant derivatives, and vitamin D3.

A method is provided of selecting specific probiotic lactic acid bacteria producing histamine and the use of such strains for beneficial effects for mammals. The method includes selecting a lactic acid bacterial strain for use in the local production of histamine in a mammal, and further comprises screening bacteria for the presence of an active histidine operon and selecting a strain which has an active histidine operon and is capable of producing histamine. Preferably said strain is selected for its ability to produce histamine at a level of greater than 250 pg/ml. The present invention further provides products comprising the strains obtainable by the selection methods of the invention for use in the local production of histamine in a mammal, in particular for use in the treatment or prophylaxis of inflammatory conditions.

Kit and method for the microbiological determination of folate and folic acid in a whole blood sample and for the assessment of the folate status of an individual, comprising steps for complete lysis of erythrocytes (red blood cells) and release of folate species, as well as steps for release of lysosomal -glutamyl hydrolase from cells contained in the whole blood sample and/or addition of -glutamyl hydrolase and complete enzymatic hydrolysis of the -glutamyl chains of folypolyglutamate species, folytetraglutamates, folypentaglutamates and folyhexaglutamate, followed by a microbiological assay for comparative study of growth and metabolism in the absence and presence of various amounts of treated whole blood sample and/or folate calibrator to assess the folate status of an individual in comparison to the folate references.

The subject invention provides materials and methods that effectively support innate immunity and/or disperse pathogenic biofilms using readily available, nontoxic, natural substances, while supporting restoration of normal microbiotic homeostasis. In one embodiment, the subject invention provides anti-biofilm compositions comprising one or more probiotic organisms, anti-microbial honey, and other ingredients such as prebiotic compounds, other hive products, green tea derivatives, other plant derivatives, and vitamin D3.

The subject invention provides materials and methods that effectively support innate immunity and/or disperse pathogenic biofilms using readily available, nontoxic, natural substances, while supporting restoration of normal microbiotic homeostasis. In one embodiment, the subject invention provides anti-biofilm compositions comprising one or more probiotic organisms, anti-microbial honey, and other ingredients such as prebiotic compounds, other hive products, green tea derivatives, other plant derivatives, and vitamin D3.

Disclosed herein are methods and kits for assessing a. risk of subject developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The methods can include determining a level of Limosilactobacillusreuteri in a sample from the subject, or receiving results of a test indicating a level of L. reuteri in a. sample from the subject, and determining the risk of developing ASD in the subject, based at least partly on the level of L. reuteri in a sample from the subject.

The present invention relates to a novel lactic acid bacterium, and more particularly, to a composition comprising Lactobacillus reuteri NK33 (KCCM12090P) or Bifidobacterium adolescentis NK98 (KCCM12297P), which is the novel lactic acid bacterium, useful in preventing and treating a neurological mental disease or an inflammatory disease. Also, the present invention relates to a composition for diagnosing a neurological mental disease, comprising a preparation for measuring a level of an intestinal microorganism, a kit comprising the same, and a method for diagnosing the neurological mental disease, comprising a step of measuring the level of the intestinal microorganism.

Provided are: a screening method suited for screening for a blood IgA production inhibitor, a blood IgA production promoting agent, or a prophylactic or therapeutic agent against diseases caused by excessive IgA in the blood; an inhibitor of blood IgA production; and a promoting agent of blood IgA production. Also, provided are: a method suited for controlling the amount of IgA in the blood; a method for assessing the risk, severity, or state of diseases caused by excessive IgA in the blood; and a method for presenting, at least one selected from enteric bacteria to be removed and enteric bacteria to be administered, in order to prevent or treat diseases caused by excessive IgA in the blood.