Effect of a fermented milk combining Lactobacillus acidophilus Cl1285 and Lactobacillus casei in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea is an important problem in hospitalized patients. The use of probiotics is gaining interest in the scientific community as a potential measure to prevent this complication. The main objective of the present study was to assess the efficacy and safety of a fermented milk combining Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei that is widely available in Canada, in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea.


METHODS
In this double-blind, randomized study, hospitalized patients were randomly assigned to receive either a lactobacilli-fermented milk or a placebo on a daily basis.


RESULTS
Among 89 randomized patients, antibiotic-associated diarrhea occurred in seven of 44 patients (15.9%) in the lactobacilli group and in 16 of 45 patients (35.6%) in the placebo group (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.125 to 0.944; P=0.05). The median hospitalization duration was eight days in the lactobacilli group, compared with 10 days in the placebo group (P=0.09). Overall, the lactobacilli-fermented milk was well tolerated.


CONCLUSIONS
The daily administration of a lactobacilli-fermented milk was safe and effective in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in hospitalized patients.
Beausoleil
M
M
Department of Pharmacy, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada. mbeausoleil.hmr@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
Fortier
N
N
Guénette
S
S
L'ecuyer
A
A
Savoie
M
M
Franco
M
M
Lachaine
J
J
Weiss
K
K
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005285:Fermentation; D006801:Humans; D007779:Lactobacillus acidophilus; D007780:Lacticaseibacillus casei; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008892:Milk / Q000382:microbiology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents