Ulcerative colitis patients who have their colons removed are less likely to develop complications if treated with probiotics.
Removal of the colon, and connection of the small intestine to the rectum, cuts out the inflamed portion and relieves symptoms. But often a complication called pouchitis occurs, marked by increased stool frequency, rectal bleeding, pain and fever.

Researchers at the University of Bologna, Italy, have found that giving patients a dose of probiotics - 'friendly' bacteria that help colonise the gut in a healthy way - reduces the risk of pouchitis after surgery. The daily packet of bacteria contained 900 billion organisms, consisting of four strains of Lactobacillus , three strains of Bifidobacterium and one of Streptococcus salivarius . Just ten per cent of those on probiotics developed pouchitis, compared to 40 per cent of those on placebo.

Pouchitis is normally treated by antibiotics but, if it becomes chronic, the patient may be faced with long-term treatment, which raises the threat of side effects and resistance. Probiotic treatment looks like a much better option, according to this study.