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Updated: Oct 2, 2026

Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Analyses of Murine Intestinal Microbiota After Oral Antibiotic Treatment
08:33

Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Analyses of Murine Intestinal Microbiota After Oral Antibiotic Treatment

Published on: November 17, 2018

[Oral bacterial therapy in prevention of antibiotic-induced diarrhea in childhood]

I Contardi1

  • 1Divisione di Pediatria, Ospedale Civico di Codogno, MI.

La Clinica Terapeutica
|March 31, 1991
PubMed

Insights

This study found that probiotics, specifically lactobacilli, can prevent diarrhea in infants treated with amoxycillin. Probiotic use led to fewer bowel disturbances compared to amoxycillin alone.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric medicine
  • Microbiology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Amoxycillin is a common antibiotic in pediatric care.
  • Antibiotic use, including amoxycillin, can disrupt the infant gut microbiome.
  • This disruption may lead to gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the efficacy of probiotic lactobacilli in preventing amoxycillin-induced diarrhea in infants.
  • To assess the impact of oral bacterial therapy on bowel function during antibiotic treatment.

Main Methods:

  • A controlled, randomized clinical trial involving 40 infants receiving oral amoxycillin.
  • Infants were divided into two groups: one receiving amoxycillin plus lactobacilli, the other amoxycillin alone.
  • Fermented milk products containing lactobacilli were used for the probiotic intervention.

Main Results:

  • Infants receiving amoxycillin plus lactobacilli (Group 1) experienced fewer stool passages and more formed stools.
  • Infants receiving only amoxycillin (Group 2) showed an increased frequency of gastrointestinal disorders.
  • Lactobacilli supplementation demonstrated a protective effect against antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

Conclusions:

  • Oral bacterial therapy with lactobacilli is effective in preventing diarrhea in infants treated with amoxycillin.
  • Probiotic supplementation can help maintain gut health during antibiotic therapy in pediatric patients.
  • Lactobacilli represent a viable strategy to mitigate common side effects of amoxycillin in infancy.

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