Prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in children by Clostridium butyricum MIYAIRI.
BACKGROUND
Clostridium butyricum MIYAIRI (CBM) is a probiotic bacteria used for anti-diarrheal medicine in Japan. The preventive effect of CBM was investigated for antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) in children.


METHODS
One hundred and ten children who suffered from upper respiratory tract infection or gastroenteritis were divided into three groups. Twenty-seven of the patients received only antibiotics, 38 received CBM from the mid point of the antibiotic treatment and 45 concomitantly received CBM from the beginning of the antibiotic treatment. To examine the effects of CBM on AAD, the changes in intestinal flora were investigated.


RESULTS
Diarrhea was observed in 59% of the subjects who received only antibiotics, and total fecal anaerobes, especially Bifidobacterium, were remarkably decreased. In contrast, diarrhea in the subjects who received CBM from either the middle or the beginning of the antibiotic therapy was decreased to 5% and 9%, respectively. Concomitant administration of CBM increased anaerobes and prevented the decrease of Bifidobacterium in the subjects who received antibiotics.


CONCLUSIONS
Clostridium butyricum MIYAIRI is effective for both the treatment and the prophylaxis of AAD in children, as it normalizes the intestinal flora disturbed by antibiotics.
Seki
Hiromi
H
Department of Pediatrics, Showa Inan General Hospital, Komagane, Japan. seki1210@pluto.plala.or.jp
Shiohara
Masaaki
M
Matsumura
Tadao
T
Miyagawa
Natsuki
N
Tanaka
Mamoru
M
Komiyama
Atsushi
A
Kurata
Susumu
S
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003013:Clostridium; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents