Probiotics in antibiotic-associated diarrhoea.
Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea is a common event. In some cases, it could represent a life-threatening event. Clostridium difficile colitis is a further distinct complication of antibiotic administration. Treatment options for antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and Clostridium difficile colitis include supplementation with several types of probiotics, as overviewed in this paper. Three randomised, double-blind, controlled clinical trials show a therapeutic effect of Saccharomyces boulardii in antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. The efficacy of Lactobacillus acidophilus and bulgaricus has also been ascertained in two double-blind controlled studies. Other studies focusing on Lactobacillus as a new preventive agent for antibiotic-associated diarrhoea are not double-blind. Among these, a positive effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Bifidobacterium longum and Enterococcus faecium SF68 has been reported. Effectiveness of probiotics in antibiotic-associated diarrhoea has, therefore, a consistent scientific rationale, however few studies have performed an assessment of bacterial recovery in stools, and this approach may be helpful in deciding a more rigorous dose standardisation.
Cremonini
F
F
Internal Medicine, Catholic University Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
Di Caro
S
S
Santarelli
L
L
Gabrielli
M
M
Candelli
M
M
Nista
E C
EC
Lupascu
A
A
Gasbarrini
G
G
Gasbarrini
A
A
D001644:Bifidobacterium; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012440:Saccharomyces