What role do prebiotics and probiotics play in treatment of acute diarrhea?
- The use of probiotics for the treatment of acute diarrhea remains controversial.
- The rationale is based on the idea that probiotic organisms compete for binding sites and also may produce metabolites and acids harmful to enteric pathogens.
- Evidence for and against the approach is difficult to evaluate because of the variety of probiotics and formulation types in existence ( Saccharomyces, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium, etc.) as well as methodological factors.
- A Cochrane review published in 2010 included 63 studies and did demonstrate a shortening of diarrheal episodes with the use of probiotics and a low likelihood of adverse events.
