The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7459 p5
7 July 2007

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Lactobacillus drinks could prevent C difficile diarrhoea

Probiotic drinks containing lactobacilli can help to prevent diarrhoea associated with Clostridium difficile infection or antibiotics, a recent study suggests (BMJ Online First, 29 June 2007).

Researchers randomised 135 hospital patients over the age of 50 years who were taking antibiotics to receive a probiotic yoghurt drink (Actimel) or long-life milkshake (control group). None of the patients in the probiotic group developed diarrhoea associated with C difficile, compared with 17 per cent of controls (P=0.001). Fewer patients given the probiotic drink had diarrhoea associated with antibiotic use than those given the placebo drink (12 per cent versus 34 per cent; P=0.007).

The authors estimate the cost to prevent one case of C difficile-associated diarrhoea with the drink to be £60, compared with around £4,000 needed to treat the condition. They say that the routine use of probiotics could lead to substantial health care savings.