Probiotics may Prevent Clostridium Difficile-associated Diarrhea's Occurrence

Probiotics were found to lessen the occurrence of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) in patients receiving antibiotics and a significant reduction in side effects when compared with a control group or placebo.

Highlights:

Use of antibiotics is known to be one of the major risk factors for causing Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD)
Probiotics, when used as preventive therapy, may reduce the occurrence of Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD)
Side effects of the associated disease are compared with control groups and found to be reduced significantly

Clostridium difficile is a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium which is found to cause the diarrheal illness in patients receiving antibiotics. The infection spreads via the fecal-oral route. Probiotics are the live organisms which counteract the disturbances in the gut microbial balance associated with the use of antibiotics. Probiotics also minimize the risk of colonization of pathogenic bacteria in the gut.

Role of Probiotics in Treating Antibiotic Associated Diarrhea
Human digestive tract consists of millions of both harmful and beneficial microbes. A recent study analyzed the efficiency of probiotics in treating Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea.

‘Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) is common in patients taking antibiotics and its occurrence can be reduced by taking probiotics, which could be a preventive treatment. Probiotics also significantly reduced the side effects.’

Probiotics use in Clostridium difficile-associated Diarrhea (CDAD)

Clostridium difficile infection is found to be the primary cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. The incidence of the antibiotic-associated gastrointestinal illness has increased recently over the past decades with a great burden in the healthcare system. Several randomized clinical trials were conducted which involved more than 8500 patients. The patients were studied to evaluate the effectiveness of probiotics in CDAD. The studies involved all groups of inpatient and outpatient settings including both adults and children.

Preventive therapy of probiotic supplementation was found to minimize the occurrence of CDAD in patients taking antibiotics. Adverse effects such as fever, nausea, abdominal cramps, flatulence, and taste disturbances were also found to be greatly reduced, and no episodes of severe probiotic-associated side effects such as fungemia or bacteremia were reported while taking probiotic supplements.

Probiotics with a dose of 20 to 50 billion colony forming units can be prescribed daily to hospitalized patients who are given antibiotics to prevent CDAD. The probiotic supplementation should be started within 48 hours, once the antibiotic treatment has been initiated.

Quiz on Probiotics
Though probiotics have been a part of our diet since ancient times, their use as medicines has been relatively recent. Test your knowledge on probiotics by taking this quiz.

Common antibiotics associated with the cause of CDAD

Penicillins
Cephalosporins
Fluoroquinolones (e.g., Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin)
Clindamycin

Probiotics - Support System for the Gut
Probiotics are live microorganisms that resemble the “good bacteria” in our gut. Science is yet to fully explore the healing potential of probiotics; meanwhile some studies have ruled in their favor.

What are the other risk factors for Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea?

Immunosuppressive treatments
Elderly age
Use of nasogastric tubes
An extended stay in a hospital
Admitted to intensive care units
Serious underlying diseases
Sharing room with Clostridium difficile patients
Recent surgical procedures

Health Benefits of Probiotic Yogurt Diet
Probiotic yogurt adds bountiful of beneficial bacteria to the intestinal tract which prove to be effective in aiding digestive problems.