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COMPARISON OF BACTERIAL PROBIOTICS (BIFIDOBACTERIUM AND LACTOBACILLUS) VERSUS FUNGAL PROBIOTICS (SACCHAROMYCES) IN
Safar Ali Shah1, Samia Naz1, Fazaila Jabeen1
1The Children's Hospital and University of Child Health Sciences Lahore-Pakistan.
Insights
Bacterial probiotics like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus showed better results in treating acute childhood diarrhea compared to fungal probiotics (Saccharomyces). Bacterial probiotics led to quicker resolution and reduced stool frequency in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Acute diarrhea in children is a significant cause of mortality, often infection-related.
- Prophylactic treatment is crucial for reducing mortality rates.
- This study investigates probiotic efficacy in managing pediatric acute diarrhea.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of bacterial probiotics (Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus) versus fungal probiotics (Saccharomyces) in treating acute diarrhea in children.
- To evaluate outcomes such as diarrheal duration and stool frequency.
- To inform prophylactic treatment strategies for childhood diarrhea.
Main Methods:
- A non-randomized control trial involving 200 children aged 6 months to 5 years with acute diarrhea.
- Children were divided into two groups: one receiving bacterial probiotics, the other fungal probiotics.
- Outcomes measured included duration of diarrhea and stool frequency until resolution.
Main Results:
- Complete diarrheal resolution occurred in 95% of children on bacterial probiotics versus 87% on fungal probiotics (p=0.048).
- Mean diarrheal duration was significantly shorter in the bacterial probiotic group (3.11±1.36 days) compared to the fungal group (3.88±1.02 days) (p<0.001).
- Stool frequency was significantly lower in the bacterial probiotic group (2.97±0.55) than the fungal group (4.57±1.07) (p<0.001).
Conclusions:
- Bacterial probiotics demonstrated superior efficacy in resolving acute diarrhea in children compared to fungal probiotics.
- Bacterial probiotics significantly reduced diarrheal duration and stool frequency.
- The findings support the use of bacterial probiotics for managing acute childhood diarrhea.
Background:
Acute diarrhoea among children mainly due to infection must be treated prophylactically to reduce mortality. The objective of this study was to compare the outcome of using bacterial probiotics (Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus) versus fungal probiotics (Saccharomyces) for acute diarrhoea among children aged 6 months to 5 years.
Methods:
A non-randomized control trial was conducted at diarrhoea ward, the Children's Hospital, Lahore from 1st March 2022 to 1st March 2024. 200 children were recruited in the study using non-probability consecutive sampling technique which were divided equally into two groups receiving either bacterial probiotics or fungal probiotics. The children were followed up till resolution of diarrhoea. Diarrhoeal duration and stool frequency were noted. Data was entered and analysed using SPSS Version 26.
Results:
Out of 200 children, 52.5% were male and 47.5% were female. Mean age of the sample was 2.24±1.54 years, mean baseline and follow up diarrhoea duration was 3.52±1.44 and 3.47±1.25 days and stool frequency at follow up was 3.75±1.15. Complete diarrhoeal resolution was seen among 95% of the children using bacterial probiotics while 87% of the children using fungal probiotics (p=0.048). Regarding diarrhoeal duration (days) among the two groups, the mean was 3.11±1.36 (bacterial probiotic group) and 3.88±1.02 (fungal probiotic group) (p<0.001) and regarding stool frequency, the mean was 2.97±0.55 (bacterial probiotic group) and 4.57±1.07 (fungal probiotic group) (p<0.001).
Conclusions:
It can be concluded from this study that diarrhoeal resolution along with stool frequency was better among children using bacterial probiotics as compared to those using fungal probiotics.
