Try probiotic treatment for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Recurrence of Clostridium difficile can be stopped by using probiotics, according to a new analysis.
Clostridium difficile infection gives rise to a persistent, and potentially dangerous, form of diarrhea. It can be treated with antibiotics, but it often recurs because the bacterium form spores which persist in the gut. An analysis of 31 studies, recommended by Dr Patricia Raymond, a gastroenterologist based in Chesaspeake, Virginia, shows that probiotic treatment was effective in preventing recurrence of C. difficile.

Probiotics are bacteria or yeast which can help rebalance the gut flora - that is, the natural community of microbes that exist there. C.difficile is in fact part of the flora, but gets out of balance under certain conditions, such as antibiotic treatment or impaired immunity. Florastor is a product containing the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii; the studies demonstrated that S. boulardii is a good way of fighting recurrent C. difficile infection. Florastor is a well-known product which is on sale in 80 countries and is mentioned by the World Health Organization for its role in the management of C.difficile. The new findings suggest it should be considered when patients are troubled by a return of the infection.

Source
Robin Leedy & Associates 8th February 2007

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