The effect of a Lactobacillus plantarum-supplemented diet on shrimp growth, digestive tract bacterial
microbiota, survival, and some hemato-immunological parameters after an experimental challenge with Vibrio
harveyi was studied. No difference (P>0.05) was observed in shrimp survival (80±6%) and final weight
(6.63±0.56g) after 60 days feeding trial. Total bacteria count and Vibrio spp. count in the digestive tract were
not diferent (P>0.05) until day 40, but they were lower (P0.05) than the control group (39.9±4.4%). Bacterial counts in hemolymph and hepatopancreas was
lower (P0.05) in the probiotic-supplemented group
after challenge with V. harveyi. Probiotic-supplemented diet modifies shrimp digestive tract bacterial
microbiota, increasing resistance to V. harveyi infection