Probiotics to Prevent Clostridium difficile Infection in Patients Receiving Antibiotics

JAMA. 2018 Aug 7;320(5):499-500. doi: 10.1001/jama.2018.9064.

Abstract

Clinical question: In adults and children prescribed antibiotics, is co-administration of a probiotic associated with a lower risk of symptomatic Clostridium difficile infection without an increase in adverse events?

Bottom line: Moderate-quality evidence suggests that probiotics are associated with a lower risk of C difficile infection and very low-quality evidence suggests that probiotics are associated with fewer adverse events vs placebo or no treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Clostridioides difficile*
  • Clostridium Infections / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Probiotics / therapeutic use*
  • Review Literature as Topic

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents