Chagas disease is a serious infection caused by a parasite that affects millions of people, especially in Central and South America. Currently, treatment options are limited and don’t always work well. Researchers tested whether probiotics—the “good bacteria” found in some foods and supplements—could help fight this disease. They gave mice probiotics for a week before infecting them with the parasite, then continued treatment for two more weeks. The results showed that probiotics reduced the number of parasites in the blood by nearly half in some cases and made the infection less severe in heart tissue. While probiotics alone didn’t prevent death from the infection, they appeared to boost the effectiveness of the standard drug treatment. This suggests probiotics might be a helpful addition to current Chagas disease therapy.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether taking probiotics (beneficial bacteria) could reduce the severity of Chagas disease infection in mice and help the immune system fight the parasite
  • Who participated: Laboratory mice (both male and female) that were given probiotics before being infected with the Chagas disease parasite. Researchers also tested immune cells from treated mice in laboratory dishes
  • Key finding: Probiotics reduced the peak number of parasites in the bloodstream by 44-87% depending on the type of probiotic and the mouse’s sex. When combined with the standard drug treatment (benznidazole), probiotics boosted the drug’s effectiveness by about 60%
  • What it means for you: While this is early research in mice, it suggests probiotics might someday be used alongside standard Chagas disease medications to improve treatment outcomes. However, this is not yet proven in humans, and probiotics should not replace standard medical treatment

The Research Details

Researchers conducted two types of experiments. First, they gave mice two different types of probiotics (a multi-strain blend called PB8 and a single strain called Lactobacillus rhamnosus) by mouth for a week before infecting them with the Chagas parasite, then continued giving probiotics for two more weeks while monitoring the infection. Second, they took immune cells (called macrophages) from treated mice and infected them with the parasite in laboratory dishes to see how well the cells could fight the infection, both with and without the standard drug treatment.

The researchers measured how many parasites were present in the blood, examined heart tissue under a microscope to see the damage caused by infection, and tested whether probiotics made the standard drug more effective. They compared results between male and female mice to see if sex made a difference.

This study design allows researchers to test probiotics in a controlled way before trying them in humans. By testing both in living mice and in isolated immune cells, they could see whether probiotics work by strengthening the immune system directly or by other mechanisms. Testing both male and female mice helps determine if the treatment works equally for everyone

This is laboratory research published in a scientific journal focused on tropical diseases. The study used established methods for measuring parasite levels and examining tissue damage. However, because this was done in mice rather than humans, results may not directly apply to people. The study size and specific statistical details are not fully described in the abstract, which limits our ability to assess the strength of the findings

What the Results Show

Both types of probiotics reduced the number of parasites circulating in the blood. The multi-strain probiotic (PB8) reduced parasites by 23-87% depending on whether the mouse was male or female, while the single-strain probiotic (Lactobacillus rhamnosus) reduced parasites by 16-44%. These reductions were substantial, cutting parasite levels roughly in half or more in many cases.

When researchers examined heart tissue under a microscope, they found that probiotics slightly reduced the damage caused by the parasite. The parasite typically forms clusters in heart tissue, and probiotics appeared to reduce these clusters, suggesting less severe infection in this critical organ.

Most importantly, when probiotics were combined with benznidazole (the standard drug used to treat Chagas disease), the combination was more effective than the drug alone. The drug by itself reduced parasites by 25%, but when combined with probiotics, it reduced parasites by 40%—a 60% improvement in effectiveness.

Immune cells taken from mice treated with probiotics showed better ability to fight the parasite infection in laboratory dishes. When researchers added a substance that activated these immune cells more strongly, the protective effect of probiotics increased even further (from 24-26% to 42-65% reduction in parasites). This suggests probiotics may work by enhancing the immune system’s natural ability to fight the infection. The researchers found no significant differences between male and female mice in how well probiotics worked

This research builds on growing evidence that probiotics can support immune function against various infections. Previous studies have shown that gut bacteria influence how well the immune system responds to parasitic infections. This study is among the first to specifically test probiotics against Chagas disease, a major health problem in the Americas that currently has very limited treatment options. The finding that probiotics enhance drug effectiveness is particularly novel and suggests a new treatment strategy

This study was conducted entirely in mice and laboratory cells, not in humans with actual Chagas disease. Results in mice don’t always translate to humans due to differences in immune systems and how bodies process treatments. The study did not test whether probiotics alone could prevent death from infection—they reduced parasite numbers but didn’t prevent fatal outcomes. The specific number of mice used and detailed statistical analysis are not provided in the abstract, making it difficult to assess how confident we should be in the results. Long-term effects of probiotic treatment were not studied

The Bottom Line

Based on this early research, probiotics show promise as a potential addition to standard Chagas disease treatment, but they are NOT ready for human use yet. Current recommendation: People with Chagas disease should continue using standard medical treatments prescribed by their doctors. Do not use probiotics as a replacement for proven treatments. Further research in humans is needed before probiotics can be recommended as part of standard care (Confidence level: Low to Moderate for future human application)

This research is most relevant to: (1) People with Chagas disease and their doctors, (2) Researchers developing new treatments for Chagas disease, (3) Public health officials in regions where Chagas disease is common. This research should NOT be used by people to self-treat Chagas disease with probiotics instead of prescribed medications. People without Chagas disease do not need to change their probiotic use based on this study

In this mouse study, effects appeared within 2-3 weeks of treatment. If probiotics eventually prove effective in humans, similar timelines might be expected, but this is speculative. It typically takes 5-10 years of additional research before laboratory findings lead to new human treatments

Want to Apply This Research?

  • For users with Chagas disease under medical care: Track adherence to prescribed medications daily (yes/no), monitor for symptoms like fatigue or heart palpitations weekly, and record any probiotic supplements taken (type, dose, frequency) to discuss with healthcare provider
  • If a user’s doctor approves: Log daily probiotic intake alongside medication doses to maintain consistent treatment schedules. Use app reminders to take probiotics at the same time each day as prescribed. Do not use the app to replace medical supervision—continue regular doctor visits
  • Set up monthly check-ins to review medication adherence and symptom patterns. Track any changes in energy levels, heart symptoms, or infection markers as reported by healthcare provider. Use the app to prepare questions for doctor visits about whether probiotics might be appropriate as part of their treatment plan

This research is preliminary laboratory work in mice and has not been tested in humans. Probiotics should NOT be used to treat or replace standard medical treatment for Chagas disease. If you have Chagas disease or think you might, consult with a healthcare provider immediately. Do not start, stop, or change any medications or supplements without medical supervision. This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations for Chagas disease