Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 24, 2025
Investigating the Effects of Probiotics on Pneumococcal Colonization Using an In Vitro Adherence Assay
Published on: April 28, 2014
Preventive Effect of Probiotics on Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: A Meta-analysis of 2428 Patients
Ting Ji1, Xingxing Zhu1, Futai Shang1
1The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, China.
Background:
Researchers had contradictory conclusions about the role of probiotics in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), which has led to the controversial use of probiotics in mechanically ventilated patients.
Objective:
To explore the efficacy and safety of probiotics in preventing VAP.
Methods:
A literature search was conducted in 7 medical databases. Two investigators assessed literature quality independently and collected data. The primary outcome was the incidence of VAP. Secondary outcomes included 16 measures. Sensitivity analysis and subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed to analyze the source of heterogeneity. P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant, and CIs were set at 95%. A random-effects model was set when I2 <50%, otherwise a fixed-effects model was used.
Results:
A total of 20 randomized controlled studies with a total of 2428 patients were analyzed. Pooled results showed positive effects of probiotics on the reduction of VAP incidence (risk ratio [RR] = 0.672; P < 0.001; I2 = 11.3%), length of ICU stay (WMD = -1.417; P = 0.012; I2 = 90.7%), oropharyngeal (RR = 0.866; P = 0.031; I2 = 12.4%) and gastric (RR = 0.645; P < 0.001; I2 = 30.2%) colonization.
Conclusions And Relevance:
Probiotics can reduce the incidence of VAP and reduce oropharyngeal and gastric bacterial colonization. The results also suggest that probiotics do not cause adverse effects.
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