4Probiotics to enhance anti-infective defences in the gastrointestinal tract
Section snippets
Anti-infective effects of probiotics
Several well-controlled studies have shown that the intake of specific strains of LAB (probiotics) can reduce the duration and severity of diarrhoea in infants and children hospitalized for acute rotavirus diarrhoea (Table 1).1., 2., 3., 4. A reduction in the duration of diarrhoea of 0.7 days (95% confidence interval: 0.3–1.2 days) and a reduction in diarrhoea frequency of 1.6 stools on day 2 of treatment in subjects receiving lactobacilli (95% confidence interval: 0.7–2.6 fewer stools)
Effects of probiotics on anti-infective defences
The GIT represents the largest surface area of the body that is permanently exposed to the external environment through the oral cavity. In addition to allowing the digestion and absorption of nutrients, the gastrointestinal mucosa provides a protective barrier against the constant barrage of antigens derived from food, resident microflora and the external environment. Protection against such agents is mediated by a host of non-immunological (physiological barriers) and immunological defences.
Summary
Infection with enteric pathogens continue to be a major health problem worldwide, especially in children, undernourished, hospitalized and immunocompromised individuals, travellers and the elderly. A lack of effective mucosal vaccines and the widespread emergence of antibiotic-resistant micro-organisms have stimulated the quest for alternative methods of infection control. Several recent clinical studies have provided unequivocal evidence that the intake of specific probiotics could be
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