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A tale of caution: prolonged Bacillus clausii bacteraemia after probiotic use in an immunocompetent child
Akshay M Khatri1, Shipra Rai2, Caroline Shank2
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York, USA.
Insights
Bacillus clausii probiotics can cause prolonged bloodstream infections (bacteremia). Even immunocompetent children may be at risk, highlighting the need for greater awareness of potential adverse effects.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Clinical Medicine
- Probiotic Research
Background:
- Bacillus clausii is a commonly used probiotic supplement in pediatric and adult populations.
- There is limited awareness regarding the potential adverse effects of Bacillus clausii probiotic use.
Introduction:
Bacillus clausii as a probiotic supplement is increasingly used in both adult and paediatric patient populations. There is limited awareness about potential adverse effects.
Case Presentation:
We report a case of prolonged (111 days) B. clausii bacteraemia after brief probiotic use in a 17-month-old immunocompetent child, without a definite focus of infection and in the absence of predisposing risk factors or underlying co-morbidities. We identified seven probiotic use-associated cases of prolonged B. clausii bacteraemia (mean duration [range] 64 days [14-93 days] where data were available) in the literature, all with underlying co-morbidities.
Conclusion:
B. clausii probiotic preparations may cause prolonged bacteraemia, rendering patients with underlying co-morbidities as well as those with unrecognized risk factors vulnerable for significant infectious complications.
