Lactobacillus Species as Opportunistic Pathogens in Immunocompromised Patients

Lung abscess and pleuritis caused by Lactobacillus rhamnosus in an immunocompetent patient

“…They are often used for fermentation in the food industry, and are rarely pathogenic in humans [1]. However, it has been reported that, in immunosuppressed patients or those who have undergone organ transplantation [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9], these bacilli cause critical infections such as sepsis and infectious endocarditis. Herein, we report a case of lung abscess and pleuritis caused by Lactobacillus rhamnosus in a patient who was not immunodeficient; this is considered to be the first such case reported in Japan.…”

Splenic abscess caused by Lactobacillus paracasei

“…The most common pathogens causing splenic abscesses are staphylococci, streptococci, salmonella and Escherichia coli [1]. Lactobacilli have recently been identified as potential emerging pathogens in immunocompromised patients, especially in patients with cancers on chemotherapy; bone-marrow and solid-organ transplant recipients (particularly liver transplantation); patients with diabetes and kidney disease; and those having undergone gynecologic surgery [5,6]. Cases of abscess caused by Lactobacillus species, other than this particular organism, are reported, such as L. rhamnosus, L. casei, and L. acidophilus [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16].…”

Prophylactic use of yoghurt reduces antibiotic induced diarrhoea in children

“…Clostridium difficile infection is increasingly prevalent in today's hospital setting, particularly in elderly patients, in whom 10-20% of such cases occur 17 . The incidence of antibiotic associated diarrhoea depends on the antibiotic used and each individual patient's risk factors.…”