Is Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG effective in preventing the onset of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea: a systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea.


METHODS
A computer-based search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, AMED, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews was conducted. A hand-search of the bibliographies of relevant papers and previous meta-analyses was undertaken.


METHODS
Trials were included in the review if they compared the effects of L. rhamnosus GG and placebo and listed diarrhoea as a primary end-point. Studies were excluded if they were not placebo-controlled or utilised other probiotic strains.


RESULTS
Six trials were found that met all eligibility requirements. Significant statistical heterogeneity of the trials precluded meta-analysis. Four of the six trials found a significant reduction in the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea with co-administration of Lactobacillus GG. One of the trials found a reduced number of days with antibiotic-induced diarrhoea with Lactobacillus GG administration, whilst the final trial found no benefit of Lactobacillus GG supplementation.


CONCLUSIONS
Additional research is needed to further clarify the effectiveness of Lactobacillus GG in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea.
Hawrelak
Jason A
JA
School of Natural and Complementary Medicine, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia. jhawre10@scu.edu.au
Whitten
Dawn L
DL
Myers
Stephen P
SP
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D052201:Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus; D019936:Probiotics; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents