Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026
10:36
Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
Published on: January 27, 2019
Probiotics, critical illness, and methodologic bias
1Department of Medicine, Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, 14445 Olive View Drive, Sylmar, CA 91342, USA. rkoretz@msn.com
Summary
Probiotics did not significantly impact mortality or hospital stays in critically ill patients. While some studies suggest fewer infections, potential harms and methodological biases warrant caution in their use.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Microbiology
- Clinical Nutrition
Background:
- Probiotics are suggested to benefit critically ill patients.
- Evidence regarding their efficacy remains limited and debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review randomized controlled trials on probiotics in critically ill patients.
- To assess the impact of probiotics on mortality, hospitalization, and infection rates.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review of English-language randomized controlled trials from MEDLINE.
- Inclusion of trials comparing probiotics versus placebo in critically ill populations.
Main Results:
- Probiotics did not alter mortality or hospitalization duration.
- A reduction in infectious episodes was observed (absolute risk difference -21%), particularly with specific probiotic combinations.
- One trial in severe acute pancreatitis indicated increased mortality due to ischemic bowel disease.
Conclusions:
- The overall benefit of probiotics in critically ill patients is unclear.
- Methodological limitations in trials may affect the reliability of findings.
- Potential risks, including increased mortality in specific conditions, necessitate careful consideration.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Probiotics
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...
01:29Bias in Epidemiological Studies
Biases can arise at various stages of research, from study design and data collection to analysis and interpretation. Recognizing and addressing these biases is essential to ensure the validity and reliability of epidemiological findings.Broadly speaking, biases in epidemiology fall into three main categories: selection bias, information bias, and confounding. A more detailed description of possible biases is:
01:21Microbiota 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...
01:23Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches
Biopharmaceutical studies constitute a vital field aiming to enhance drug delivery methods and refine therapeutic approaches, drawing upon diverse interdisciplinary knowledge. In research methodologies, the choice between controlled and non-controlled studies significantly influences the study's reliability and accuracy.
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...
01:22Bias
Bias refers to any tendency that prevents a question from being considered unprejudiced. In research, bias occurs when one outcome or answer is selected or encouraged over others in sampling or testing. Bias can occur during any research phase, including study design, data collection, analysis, and publication.
In statistics, a sampling bias is created when a sample is collected from a population, and some members of the population are not as likely to be chosen as others (remember, each member...
In statistics, a sampling bias is created when a sample is collected from a population, and some members of the population are not as likely to be chosen as others (remember, each member...
01:18Dysbiosis 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...