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[Probiotics for the prevention of antibiotic-induced diarrhea]

A Eser1, F Thalhammer, F Burghuber

  • 1Universitätsklinik für Innere Medizin III, Medizinische Universität Wien, Österreich.

Zeitschrift Fur Gastroenterologie
|October 13, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea affects many patients, with Clostridium difficile being a severe cause. Probiotics show promise in preventing this common side effect in both children and adults.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Clinical Medicine
  • Gastroenterology

Context:

  • Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) is a frequent complication of antibiotic therapy, affecting 5-49% of patients.
  • Various antibiotics, particularly oral agents like cephalosporins and quinolones, can trigger diarrhea.
  • Clostridium difficile infection accounts for approximately 25% of AAD cases, representing a severe form.

Purpose:

  • To review the efficacy and evidence for various probiotic strains in the primary prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
  • To synthesize current clinical data and emerging recommendations for probiotic use in AAD prevention.
  • To assess the role of probiotics in mitigating the incidence and severity of AAD in pediatric and adult populations.

Summary:

  • Antibiotics disrupt gut microbiota, leading to diarrhea, ranging from mild to severe.
  • Probiotic interventions have been extensively studied for AAD prevention over the past two decades.
  • Different probiotic strains demonstrate varying levels of effectiveness in clinical trials.

Impact:

  • Provides a comprehensive overview of probiotic efficacy for AAD prevention.
  • Informs clinical decision-making regarding the use of probiotics alongside antibiotic treatments.
  • Contributes to evidence-based guidelines for managing and preventing antibiotic-associated gastrointestinal side effects.

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