Fast Five Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Probiotic Use?

Mary L. Windle, PharmD

March 12, 2018

Recent data found no benefit in daily probiotic use in reducing antibiotic prescriptions for upper respiratory infections in patients aged 5 years or older with asthma. Likewise, a separate study found that dual probiotic use for 6 months did not reduce absences from childcare due to GI and respiratory infections in healthy infants.

Although probiotic use demonstrated a lower rate of postsurgical infection in patients undergoing liver transplantation, mortality rates were similar to those among controls. Similarly, a study found reduced infection rates in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia without any effect on mortality rate.

Decreased sepsis risk was noted among preterm and newborn infants receiving probiotics. They were also found to be effective in protecting patients who were susceptible to Listeria infections, including pregnant women and patients undergoing chemotherapy.

For more on probiotic use and infection, read here.

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Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.

Cite this: Mary L. Windle. Fast Five Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Probiotic Use? - Medscape - Mar 12, 2018.

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