Is Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG effective in preventing the onset of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea: a systematic review

• Published in: Digestion Vol. 72; no. 1; p. 51
• Main Authors: Hawrelak, Jason A, Whitten, Dawn L, Myers, Stephen P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland 2005
• Subjects: Anti-Bacterial Agents - adverse effects; Clinical Trials as Topic; Diarrhea - chemically induced; Diarrhea - prevention & control; Humans; Lactobacillus rhamnosus; Probiotics; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0012-2823
• DOI: 10.1159/000087637

To evaluate the efficacy of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea.
A computer-based search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, AMED, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews was conducted. A hand-search of the bibliographies of relevant papers and previous meta-analyses was undertaken.
Trials were included in the review if they compared the effects of L. rhamnosus GG and placebo and listed diarrhoea as a primary end-point. Studies were excluded if they were not placebo-controlled or utilised other probiotic strains.
Six trials were found that met all eligibility requirements. Significant statistical heterogeneity of the trials precluded meta-analysis. Four of the six trials found a significant reduction in the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea with co-administration of Lactobacillus GG. One of the trials found a reduced number of days with antibiotic-induced diarrhoea with Lactobacillus GG administration, whilst the final trial found no benefit of Lactobacillus GG supplementation.
Additional research is needed to further clarify the effectiveness of Lactobacillus GG in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea.