title: Effects of probiotics on the composition of the intestinal microbiota following antibiotic therapy.
abstract: The effects of probiotic supplementation on the intestinal re-growth microbiota following antibiotic therapy were studied in a double-blind placebo-controlled study. In the placebo group, numbers of facultative anaerobes and enterobacteria increased significantly, and at day 35 the numbers were significantly higher in the placebo group than in the active group; in the active group, the numbers of bacteroides increased significantly. Although the numbers of enterococci in both groups did not change, in the placebo group the number of patients harbouring antibiotic-resistant enterococci post therapy increased significantly. There was no change in the incidence rate of antibiotic resistance among the patients in the probiotic group.
authors.affiliation: Cultech Biospeciality Products, Research Department, York Chambers, York Street, Swansea SA1 3NJ, UK. nsj1.plummer@virgin.net
authors.forename: Susan F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Plummer
authors.forename: Iveta
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Garaiova
authors.forename: Tinnu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sarvotham
authors.forename: Simon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Cottrell
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Le Scouiller
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Philippa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dee
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hunter
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000382:microbiology*; D019936:Probiotics / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents