The human intestinal tract is home to millions of pathogenic, or disease-causing, bacteria. This presence of pathogenic bacteria is counter-balanced by the existence of non-pathogenic bacteria in the intestinal tract. According to a study published in 2004 by "Current Opinion in Gastroenterology," knowledge of the bacteriologic balance between the pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria is the key to the understanding of infectious diseases within the gastrointestinal system. Furthermore, this bacterial balance is also the basis for the use of probiotics, the non-pathogenic, bacteria-containing substance.
Lactobacillus Infection
As mentioned by Medline Plus, there have been concerns with the use of lactobacillus, a form of probiotic, in patients with immuno-suppressed or weakened immune systems. These include pediatric patients with uncontrolled juvenile diabetes and patients with HIV or AIDS. Furthermore, patients with short bowel syndrome have an increased risk in developing lactobacillus infection. This syndrome results from a shortened length of the intestines due to surgery. Infant patients who are on medications that decrease the activity of the immune system can also develop lactobacillus infection. The parents of the mentioned group of pediatric patients must talk with their health care providers about the use of lactobacillus and the possible development of this disease before giving lactobacillus to their children.
Diarrhea
A study published in January 2003 by "Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology" showed that patients having ulcerative colitis, a serious chronic condition of the large intestines that causes episodic abdominal pain, fever and watery diarrhea, must be cautious in using probiotics such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae-containing probiotics because its use can possibly trigger an attack of diarrhea. Thus, parents of pediatric patients having this problem must talk with their health care provider first before giving any forms of probiotic to their children to avoid this complication from occurring.
Fungal Infection
In a November 2003 study published by the journal "Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrisft," it is advised that patients with multiple health problems be cautious in taking probiotics. The reason lies in the small possibility of developing fungal infection. In this study, the researchers note that Saccharomyces boulardii, a non-pathogenic probiotic yeast that is used as supportive therapy for diarrhea, can cause rare complications in patients with compromised immune systems. For this reason, parents of pediatric patients with multiple health problems such as infant diabetes should seek the advice of their health care provider before administering any form of probiotics to their children.
References
- "Current Opinion in Gastroenterology"; Probiotics and Prebiotics in Gastrointestinal Disorders; Fedorak, R.N. et al.; 2004
- Medline Plus: Lactobacillus
- "Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology"; Saccharomyces cerevisiae-associated diarrhea in an immunocompetent patient with ulcerative colitis; Candelli, M. et al.; January 2003
- "Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrisft (1946)"; Fungemia after oral treatment with Saccharomyces boulardii in a patient with multiple comorbidities; Lestin, F. et al.; November 2003
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