The role of probiotics in the treatment of intestinal infections and inflammation.
Clinical studies have established that certain probiotics are useful in a variety of intestinal disorders, including viral diarrhea, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, and traveler's diarrhea. Evolving data suggest that probiotics might be useful in the control of inflammatory diseases, treatment and prevention of allergic diseases, cancer prevention, and stimulation of the immune system, which may result in the reduction in respiratory disease. A review of current data regarding the most common probiotics is presented. It is important that probiotic use be directed by well-designed, placebo-controlled clinical studies published in peer-reviewed journals.
Vanderhoof
J A
JA
Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA. jvanderh@unmc.edu
Young
R J
RJ