title: Probiotics and prevention of Clostridium difficile infection.
abstract: The role of probiotics as adjunctive measures in the prevention of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has been controversial. However, a growing body of evidence has suggested that they have a role in primary prevention of CDI. Elements of this controversy are reviewed and the proposed mechanisms of action, the value and cost effectiveness of probiotics are addressed with a focus on three agents, Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and the combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus CL1285, Lactobacillus casei LBC80R, Lactobacillus rhamnosus CLR2 (Bio-K+).
authors.affiliation: R M Alden Research Laboratory, Santa Monica, CA, USA; UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Electronic address: ejcgmd@aol.com.
authors.forename: E J C
authors.initials: EJC
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.affiliation: Loyola School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Pierre-Le Gardeur Hospital, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: P-J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Maziade
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Center for Healthcare Studies, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.affiliation: Florida Hospital, Orlando, FL, USA.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Sniffen
authors.affiliation: Bio-K Plus International Inc., Laval, Canada.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Millette
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: L V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: McFarland
mesh_terms: D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007779:Lactobacillus acidophilus / Q000254:growth & development; D007780:Lacticaseibacillus casei / Q000254:growth & development; D052201:Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus / Q000254:growth & development; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics; D000069983:Saccharomyces boulardii / Q000254:growth & development
keywords: Bio-K+; C. difficile; Lactobacillus acidophilus CL1285; Lactobacillus casei LBC80R; Lactobacillus rhamnosus CLR2; Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG; Probiotic; Saccharomyces boulardii