Use of probiotics in medical devices applied to some common pathologies

Area of Science:

• Microbiology and Medical Devices
• Probiotic Therapeutics

Background:

• Probiotics, defined as "living microorganisms that, whether ingested in useful amount, may have beneficial effects on human body", are utilized in supplements, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals.
• The European Directive on medical devices (MDs) encompasses devices containing live microorganisms, including probiotics, for therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the application of probiotics within medical devices (MDs).
• To explore how probiotic administration represents a novel frontier in disease prevention and treatment.
• To review the literature on probiotic-based MDs and their therapeutic targets.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on probiotic-based medical devices.
• Analysis of therapeutic targets for common human pathologies.

Main Results:

• Probiotics in MDs show potential for various therapeutic uses.
• Identified key target pathologies include bacterial vaginosis/vaginitis, atopic dermatitis, infantile colic, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and pharyngotonsillitis.

Conclusions:

• Probiotic-based medical devices offer a promising new approach for managing several human diseases.
• Further research into probiotic MDs is warranted to optimize their therapeutic efficacy.