Probiotics: Should All Patients Take Them?

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Clinical Medicine
• Immunology

Background:

• Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms used for preventing and treating various health conditions, including gastrointestinal diseases, infections, and metabolic disorders.
• While generally safe, some studies indicate that probiotic strains can rarely cause opportunistic infections, particularly in vulnerable patient populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize documented cases of infections caused by probiotic strains.
• To assess the potential hazards associated with probiotic supplementation in critically ill and hospitalized individuals.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of clinical studies and case reports documenting infections attributed to probiotic use.
• Analysis of infection types, causative probiotic strains, and patient risk factors.

Main Results:

• Probiotic strains have been implicated in serious infections such as sepsis, bacteremia, endocarditis, liver abscess, pneumonia, and fungemia.
• These infections predominantly occur in high-risk individuals, including the immunocompromised and those with severe underlying illnesses.

Conclusions:

• Probiotic supplementation, despite its benefits, carries a risk of opportunistic infections, especially in hospitalized and critically ill patients.
• Careful consideration of patient risk factors is essential when prescribing probiotics to minimize potential adverse events.