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Related Concept Videos

Probiotics01:22

Probiotics

Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms that confer health benefits by modulating the gut microbiota. The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex microbial ecosystem, and the balance of this microbiota is crucial for digestive and systemic health. Among the most extensively studied and utilized probiotics are species formerly classified within the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These organisms not only naturally colonize the human gut but are also consumed through...
Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics01:21

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics

Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine

The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is characterized by distinct physicochemical conditions that shape its microbial communities. Among these, the stomach presents a particularly challenging environment for microbial colonization due to its highly acidic pH, ranging from 1 to 3. This extreme acidity effectively limits microbial density. However, certain acid-tolerant microorganisms are capable of surviving in this niche. Notably, Helicobacter pylori can colonize the gastric mucosa,...
Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota01:18

Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota

The human gut microbiome includes a diverse array of microbial species, including beneficial commensals and opportunistic pathogens, which interact to support host health. These microbes contribute to essential functions such as nutrient metabolism, immune system modulation, and maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity. However, disruptions to this equilibrium—referred to as dysbiosis—can have widespread physiological consequences.Dysbiosis is often characterized by reduced microbial...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy01:30

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy

Various diagnostic tests are employed in the diagnostic process for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), particularly to differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the colonic...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Investigating the Effects of Probiotics on Pneumococcal Colonization Using an In Vitro Adherence Assay
09:20

Investigating the Effects of Probiotics on Pneumococcal Colonization Using an In Vitro Adherence Assay

Published on: April 28, 2014

Probiotics in critically ill patients.

Karen Madsen1

  • 1Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. karen.madsen@ualberta.ca

Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology
|October 1, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Probiotics, including synbiotics, show promise in reducing infection and mortality in critically ill patients by supporting gut health. Further research is needed to identify optimal strains for intensive care unit (ICU) populations.

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Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
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Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage

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Investigating the Effects of Probiotics on Pneumococcal Colonization Using an In Vitro Adherence Assay
09:20

Investigating the Effects of Probiotics on Pneumococcal Colonization Using an In Vitro Adherence Assay

Published on: April 28, 2014

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
10:36

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage

Published on: January 27, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Critical care medicine
  • Gastroenterology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Severe sepsis and multisystem organ dysfunction are leading causes of death in intensive care units (ICUs).
  • The gastrointestinal tract's barrier function breakdown contributes to sepsis pathogenesis via bacterial translocation.
  • Critical illness alters gut microbiota due to stress hormones, ischemia, immunosuppression, antibiotics, and nutrient deprivation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of probiotics and synbiotics in managing critical illness.
  • To explore the impact of these interventions on gut barrier function and immune response.
  • To summarize findings from clinical trials investigating probiotic/synbiotic use in ICU patients.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent clinical trials and studies on probiotic and synbiotic interventions.
  • Analysis of the effects of bacterial strains on intestinal barrier function and immune modulation.
  • Evaluation of outcomes such as infection rates, sepsis incidence, and mortality.

Main Results:

  • Probiotic bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus are crucial for maintaining intestinal barrier integrity and immune responses.
  • Synbiotic and probiotic preparations have shown potential in treating conditions like acute pancreatitis and trauma.
  • Clinical trials indicate reduced infection, sepsis, and mortality in patients receiving synbiotics for trauma or pancreatitis.
  • Enterally fed ICU patients given probiotics exhibited improved immune function and less diarrhea.

Conclusions:

  • Probiotic and synbiotic interventions show encouraging results in critical care settings.
  • These preparations may help mitigate sepsis and improve outcomes in ICU patients.
  • Further research is essential to determine the most beneficial probiotic strains for critically ill populations.