title: 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.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada. mbeausoleil.hmr@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beausoleil
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fortier
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guénette
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: L'ecuyer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Savoie
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lachaine
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Weiss
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents