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Published on: December 8, 2014
Probiotics for Primary or Secondary Prevention of Clostridioides difficile Infection
Thomas Kaiser-Powers1, Alexa R Weingarden1
1Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, 516 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
Gastroenterology Clinics of North America
|July 31, 2026
Summary
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) recurrence is common. While probiotics show potential for prevention, evidence is inconsistent, and their role in CDI management remains uncertain.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a significant cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea.
- Antibiotic treatment disrupts the gut microbiota, increasing CDI risk and recurrence.
- Microbial therapies like probiotics are being investigated for CDI prevention and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in preventing initial and recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection.
- To assess the current evidence regarding the role of these microbial therapies in managing CDI.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing studies on probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics for CDI prevention.
- Analysis of data on the impact of these therapies on gut microbiome restoration.
Main Results:
- Evidence for probiotics preventing initial or recurrent CDI is inconsistent.
- Data on prebiotics and synbiotics for CDI are limited.
- Probiotics, while generally safe, may potentially delay normal microbiome recovery.
Conclusions:
- The role of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in CDI management is uncertain and requires further investigation.
- Current clinical guidelines offer varied recommendations, highlighting the investigational nature of these therapies.
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