Review of probiotics available to modify gastrointestinal flora

• Published in: International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents Vol. 12; no. 4; pp. 287 - 292
• Main Authors: Gismondo, M.R, Drago, L, Lombardi, A
• Format: Book Review Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Elsevier B.V 01-08-1999; Amsterdam Elsevier; New York, NY
• Subjects: Acute diarrhoea; Anti-Bacterial Agents - adverse effects; Antibacterial agents; Antibiotic associated diarrhoea; Antibiotics. Antiinfectious agents. Antiparasitic agents; Biological and medical sciences; Diarrhea - chemically induced; Diarrhea - therapy; Humans; Intestines - microbiology; Lactose Intolerance - therapy; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous. Antibiotics with multiple activities; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Probiotics; Probiotics - therapeutic use; Traveller’s diarrhoea; Probiotics; Antibiotic associated diarrhoea; Traveller’s diarrhoea; Acute diarrhoea; Toxicity; Traveler disease; Review; Saccharomyces; Actinomycetales; Fungi; Prevention; Bacteria; Intestinal disease; Lactobacillaceae; Ascomycetes; Thallophyta; Lactobacillus; Human; Probiotic; Bifidobacterium; Actinomycetaceae; Treatment efficiency; Gut; Diarrhea; Chemotherapy; Lactose; Treatment; Digestive diseases; Actinomycetes; Antibacterial agent
• ISSN: 0924-8579; 1872-7913
• DOI: 10.1016/S0924-8579(99)00050-3

There is evidence that the oral consumption of micro-organisms produces a protective effect on the gut flora. A significant number of studies suggests that probiotics might have beneficial effects on several microbial disorders of the gut, but it is very difficult to define the clinical efficacy of such products. In this review, we report the results of studies on traveller’s diarrhoea (TD), antibiotic associated diarrhoea (AAD) and acute diarrhoea (AD) in which various probiotic preparations have been used in controlled trials and been shown to have a beneficial therapeutic or prophylactic effect.