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Probiotics and non-intestinal infectious conditions
1Federal Dairy Research Centre, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry of Nutrition, Hermann-Weigmann-Strasse 1, D-24103, Kiel, Germany. devrese@bafm.de
The British Journal of Nutrition
|September 7, 2002
Summary
Probiotic microorganisms can prevent infections beyond the gut by boosting immunity and improving gut barrier function. Further clinical trials are needed to confirm their efficacy in various infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Probiotic microorganisms exert effects beyond the gastrointestinal tract.
- They can modulate immune responses and enhance intestinal barrier function.
- This may prevent pathogen translocation and infections in other organs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the extragastrointestinal health effects of orally ingested probiotic microorganisms.
- To review the potential of probiotics in preventing and treating infections in various body sites.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on probiotic effects on extraintestinal infections.
- Analysis of mechanisms including immune stimulation and barrier function enhancement.
- Examination of clinical evidence for probiotic efficacy in specific conditions.
Main Results:
- Probiotics can prevent infections by stimulating the immune system and improving intestinal barrier function.
- They may influence the microflora of the urogenital and oral cavities.
- Lactic acid bacteria are rarely implicated in infections, usually in severely ill patients.
Conclusions:
- Probiotics show promise for vaginosis, urinary tract infections, Helicobacter pylori gastritis, and pediatric respiratory infections.
- Further controlled clinical trials are necessary to establish the scientific basis for using probiotics in extraintestinal infections.