Probiotics and prebiotics for gastrointestinal infections

There is growing interest in and knowledge about the potential health-promoting benefits of both probiotics and prebiotics. Multiple mechanisms of action for the beneficial effect of probiotics and prebiotics have been postulated, including prevention of pathogenic bacteria growth, production of ant...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current infectious disease reports 2006-03, Vol.8 (2), p.103-109
Main Authors: Novak, Joshua, Katz, Jeffry A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antimicrobial agents
Bacterial infections
Epidemiology
Gastrointestinal diseases
Health promotion
Infectious diseases
Medical treatment
Prevention
Probiotics
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Summary:There is growing interest in and knowledge about the potential health-promoting benefits of both probiotics and prebiotics. Multiple mechanisms of action for the beneficial effect of probiotics and prebiotics have been postulated, including prevention of pathogenic bacteria growth, production of antimicrobial agents, stimulation of mucosal barrier function, and altering immunoregulation. Clinical trials support the efficacy of probiotics in the treatment of acute infectious diarrhea, the prevention of antibiotic associated diarrhea, and the prevention of recurrent Clostridium difficile infection. Although some data support the potential benefit of probiotic therapy in traveler's diarrhea, diverticular disease, and Helicobacter pylori, the strength of this evidence is limited. This paper will review the recent literature relevant to the mechanism of action and utility of probiotics and prebiotics in the treatment of gastrointestinal infections.
ISSN:1523-3847
1534-3146
DOI:10.1007/s11908-006-0005-9