Probiotics reduce our need for antibiotics

There are more than 500 different types of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal system¹. When antibiotics are administered, a percentage of endemic beneficial intestinal microorganisms is disrupted. The subsequent reduction in colonization and disease resistance is manifested by increased vulnerability to colonization of the colon by pathogenic bacteria, resulting in dysbiosis and often an increased risk of intestinal infection, with the main symptom of diarrhea.

The World Health Organization defines antibiotic-related diarrhea (IAD) as being an unnatural loose constipation of three or more, occurring within 24 hours during the period of antibiotic therapy. Antibiotics that fight anaerobic microbes, such as aminopenicillins, cephalosporins and clindamycins, are most associated with diarrhea2. 20% of people taking antibiotics suffer from diarrhea. Besides the fact that it is an unpleasant side effect, it can in some cases result in chronic or persistent diarrhea. It is estimated that 25% of CML cases are caused by Clostridium difficile. Contamination with this pathogen can lead to colitis and a frequent complication of antibiotic therapy, which is becoming more prevalent in hospitalized patients, especially in elderly patients.

The incidence of diarrhea in children receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics is between 11 and 40% ³. Newer children (under 3 years of age) are more vulnerable to the clinical consequences of infectious diarrhea and are the most likely to benefit from probiotic treatment.

Probiotics, better known as beneficial bacteria and yeast (fermentation bacteria), help restore normal levels of microorganisms beneficial to the gastrointestinal (GI) system. It is one of the main indications for their use in human and animal medicine. Although the reintroduction of the intestinal microflora after the end of antibiotic treatment is an obvious area of ​​use for probiotics, there is also scientific evidence of the use of antibiotics during the course of treatment. antibiotic treatment.

In recent human studies, the role of probiotics in the management of various antibiotic infections (eg C. difficile infections) and in the prevention of ADH4-8 has been studied.

The mechanisms of action have been studied and one of them would be the mixture of probiotic bacteria in the process of invasion and adhesion of pathogens9. In addition to preventing pathogenic bacteria from infecting already exposed cells, probiotic bacteria can help protect the intestinal epithelium against new invasions. Lactobacillus rhamnosus has shown beneficial properties in intestinal immunity by increasing the number of cells secreting immunoglobulins in the intestinal mucosa and stimulating the local release of interferon10. It has also been shown that L. Rhamnosus produces an antimicrobial agent that inhibits the growth of Escherichia coli, Streptococci spp, C. difficile, Bacteroides fragilis and Salmonella spp.

The use of probiotics in combination with antibiotics reduces the effects of the disturbances caused by these and maximizes the benefits that probiotics deliver directly into the intestines in relation to competitive exclusion and immune stimulation. However, it is recommended to change the antibiotics and probiotics so that the probiotic is administered at least three hours after the antibiotic dose, as far as possible, otherwise the antibiotic could reduce the effectiveness probiotic microorganisms. It is important to note that the opposite does not apply: probiotics will not reduce the dose or effectiveness of the antibiotic. It will also be beneficial if the probiotic is taken at least one week after the end of the antibiotic treatment.