Abstract :
Background: Antibiotic associated diarrhea and Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea are complications
of treatment with antimicrobial agents and occur in about 5-25% of patients. Several studies conducted in
Western countries have supported the benefits of probiotics for the prevention and treatment of antibiotic associated
diarrhea.
Aims: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of probiotic (Infloran®) for the prevention of antibiotic associated
diarrhea and C. difficile associated diarrhea in adult patients.
Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 50 patients admitted
to the Internal Medicine Ward, Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok. Patients were randomized to receive either 1
capsule of Infloran® or an identical-looking placebo three times daily for 14 days, and were followed up for one
month to observe the occurrence of antibiotic associated diarrhea and C. difficile associated diarrhea.
Results: Three out of twenty-six patients (11.5%) in the Infloran® group developed antibiotic associated
diarrhea, compared with none in the placebo group (p = 0.246). One diarrhea patient was shown to harbour
C. difficile toxin. The most common side effects were bloating and abdominal distension which occurred developed
in the Infloran® group more often than in the placebo group, but without a significant difference (p = 0.369).
Conclusion: In this study, Infloran® at the dosage of 1 capsule three times daily for 14 days did not
prevent antibiotic associated diarrhea and C. difficile associated diarrhea. The most common side effects of Infloran®
were bloating and abdominal distension. |
file/Thai-Journal-of-gastroenterology-vol-11-no-3-3404491.pdf