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Prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea by a fermented probiotic milk drink

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 62, pages 299–301 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To study the preventive effect of a milk drink fermented with multistrain probiotics on antibiotic associated diarrhoea (AAD).

Design:

Double-blind placebo controlled study.

Setting:

University Hospital of North Norway.

Subjects and methods:

Of 853 patients treated with antibiotics, 87 met the inclusion criteria, and were randomized to ingestion of a fermented milk drink containing LGG, La-5 and Bb-12 (n=46) or placebo with heat-killed bacteria (n=41), during a period of 14 days. A diary was recorded, and stool samples were collected for microbiological analyses.

Results:

Sixty-three patients completed the study according to the protocol; two patients (5.9%) in the treatment group and eight (27.6%) in the placebo group developed AAD (P=0.035). The relative risk of developing AAD was 0.21 (95% confidence interval: 0.05–0.93) when given probiotic milk drink.

Conclusion:

A fermented multistrain probiotic milk drink may prevent four of five cases of AAD in adult hospitalized patients.

Sponsorship:

TINE BA, Oslo, Norway.

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Acknowledgements

We thank TINE BA, Oslo, Norway, for funding this study, Research manager SE Birkeland, TINE R&D, for his support; and research nurse OS Moen, Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of North Norway, for data collection and the hospital staff in the departments involved for their help and support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsoe, Norway

    C Wenus

  2. Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsoe, Norway

    R Goll & J Florholmen

  3. Department of Nutrition, Institute for Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    E B Loken & A S Biong

  4. Department of Microbiology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsoe, Norway

    D S Halvorsen

Authors
  1. C Wenus
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  2. R Goll
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  3. E B Loken
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  4. A S Biong
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  5. D S Halvorsen
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  6. J Florholmen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to C Wenus.

Additional information

Guarantor: J Florholmen.

Contributors: CW and JF conceived the idea and were responsible for study design, data analysis and writing of the paper. CW coordinated and executed the study. RG was responsible for statistical analysis, interpretation and writing. EBL and ASB contributed to the design, interpretation and commented the paper. DSH was responsible for microbiology testing and commented the paper.

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Wenus, C., Goll, R., Loken, E. et al. Prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea by a fermented probiotic milk drink. Eur J Clin Nutr 62, 299–301 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602718

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602718

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