Lactobacillus acidophilus CL1285, Lactobacillus casei LBC80R, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus CLR2 (Bio-K+): Characterization, Manufacture, Mechanisms of Action, and Quality Control of a Specific Probiotic Combination for Primary Prevention of Clostridium difficile Infection

• Published in: Clinical infectious diseases Vol. 60; no. suppl_2; pp. S135 - S143
• Main Authors: Auclair, Julie, Frappier, Martin, Millette, Mathieu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Oxford University Press 15-05-2015
• Subjects: Antibiotics; Beverages; Clostridium difficile; Clostridium Infections - drug therapy; Clostridium Infections - prevention & control; Diarrhea; Diarrhea - microbiology; Diarrhea - prevention & control; Fermentation; Humans; Lactobacillus acidophilus; Lactobacillus acidophilus - isolation & purification; Lactobacillus casei; Lactobacillus casei - isolation & purification; Lactobacillus rhamnosus; Lactobacillus rhamnosus - isolation & purification; Neutralization; North America; Primary Prevention; Probiotics; Probiotics - standards; Probiotics - therapeutic use; Quality Control; Toxins; North America; probiotic; Bio-K; prevention; Clostridium difficile; Lactobacillus
• ISSN: 1058-4838; 1537-6591
• DOI: 10.1093/cid/civ179

A specific probiotic formulation composed of Lactobacillus acidophilus CL1285, Lactobacillus casei LBC80R, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus CLR2 (Bio-K+) has been marketed in North America since 1996. The strains and the commercial products have been evaluated for safety, identity, gastrointestinal survival, and stability throughout shelf life. The capacity of both the fermented beverages and the capsules to reduce incidences of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has been demonstrated in human clinical trials. Individual strains and the finished products have shown antimicrobial activity against C. difficile and toxin A/B neutralization capacity in vitro. The use of this specific probiotic formulation as part of a bundle of preventive measures to control CDI in healthcare settings is discussed.