The role of probiotics in the treatment of intestinal infections and inflammation

Clinical studies have established that certain probiotics are useful in a v ariety of intestinal disorders, including viral diarrhea, antibiotic-associ ated diarrhea, Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, and traveler's di arrhea. Evolving data suggest that probiotics might be useful in the contro l of inflammatory diseases, treatment and prevention of allergic diseases, cancer prevention, and stimulation of the immune system, which may result i n the reduction in respiratory disease. A review of current data regarding the most common probiotics is presented. It is important that probiotic use be directed by well-designed, placebo-controlled clinical studies publishe d in peer-reviewed journals. (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.