Probiotic Agents and Infectious Diseases: A Modern Perspective on a Traditional Therapy

Abstract

There is an increasing scientific and commercial interest in the use of beneficial microorganisms, or "probiotics," for the prevention and treatment of disease. The microorganisms most frequently used as probiotic agents are lactic-acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), which has been extensively studied in recent literature. Multiple mechanisms of action have been postulated, including lactose digestion, production of antimicrobial agents, competition for space or nutrients, and immunomodulation. We have reviewed recent studies of probiotics for the treatment and control of infectious diseases. Studies of pediatric diarrhea show substantial evidence of clinical benefits from probiotic therapy in patients with viral gastroenteritis, and data on LGG treatment for Clostridium difficile diarrhea appear promising. However, data to support use of probiotics for prevention of traveler's diarrhea are more limited. New research suggests potential applications in vaccine development and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Further studies are needed to take full advantage of this traditional medical approach and to apply it to the infectious diseases of the new millennium.

Gut bacteria and health foods—the European perspective

“…These include mucosal vaccines and immunomodulation, infection control and eradication of multidrug-resistant microbes, treatment of candidal vaginitis, prevention of transmission of AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases, cholestrol and blood pressure lowering, and antimutagenic/anticarcinogenic activity (Alvarez-Olmos and Oberhelman, 2001;Isolauri et al, 2001;Kopp-Hoolihan, 2001;Kaur et al, 2002) (Fig. 1).…”

Effect of an Oral Administration ofLactobacillus caseiStrain Shirota on the Natural Killer Activity of Blood Mononuclear Cells in Aged Mice

“…Lactic acid bacteria and their products have been reported to have a beneˆcial eŠect on host homeostasis, including activation of the immune system. [4][5][6] Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS), a member of the lactic acid bacteria, has been isolated from the human intestine and commercially used for a long time to produce fermented milk. In animal studies, LcS exhibited marked antitumor activity 7,8) and anti-infectious activity against such pathogens as Listeria monocytogenes 9) and the in‰uenza virus.…”

Human Colonic Microbiology and the Role of Dietary Intervention: Introduction to Prebiotics

“…It is also hoped that the treatment of bacterial infections with probiotics instead of traditional antibiotics may reduce the increasing problem of multidrug resistance (Bengmark, 1998;Alvarez-Olmos and Oberhelman, 2001). …”