Bacterial Symbionts of Macrotermes Species: Assessing their Impact on Phagocytic Indices of Albino Wistar Rats

Abstract

Termites of the genus Macrotermes host a complex gut microbiota essential for lignocellulose degradation and nitrogen fixation. Recent studies have highlighted the immunomodulatory properties of microbial symbionts in priming innate immune responses, such as phagocytosis. This study investigated the impact of dietary supplementation with bacterial symbionts isolated from Macrotermes species on the phagocytic indices of Albino Wistar rats. The bacterial symbionts were isolated using standard microbiological techniques and identified as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strain ZG308 (LPZ3), Limosilactobacillus fermentum strain 2760 (LF2), Bifidobacterium dentum strain MB0148 (BDM1), and Bifidobacterium bifidum strain CNCM1-4319 (BBC4). The results showed a significant increase in the phagocytic index of the rats fed with the bacterial symbionts, with the Nutrient-Enhanced Symbiont Group (D3) recording the highest phagocytic index (p < 0.05). The phagocytic indices of the rats fed with the bacterial symbionts were significantly higher than the control group, indicating enhanced phagocytic capacity. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in the phagocytic indices among the treatment groups (p < 0.05). This study concludes that bacterial symbionts from Macrotermes species significantly enhanced the phagocytic capacity of the innate immune system in Albino Wistar rats. The findings suggest that these bacterial symbionts may be potential natural agents for immunomodulation and disease prevention.