Lactobacillus casei Shirota probiotic drinks reduce antibiotic associated diarrhoea in patients with spinal cord injuries who regularly consume proton pump inhibitors: a subgroup analysis of the ECLISP multicentre RCT

This study looked at whether a specific probiotic, Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS), could help prevent diarrhea caused by antibiotics in people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) who regularly take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). PPIs are medications that reduce stomach acid. The study found that SCI patients who took the LcS probiotic were less likely to develop antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) compared to those who took a placebo. This suggests LcS could be a useful way to prevent AAD in this vulnerable group. The researchers suggest that more studies are needed to confirm these results and to understand how best to use LcS to improve clinical outcomes for SCI patients who are at risk of AAD.

• 1
  The LcS group had a significantly lower incidence of AAD at 30 days after finishing the antibiotic course (28.0 v 53.3%, RR: 95% CI: 0.53, 0.31–0.89; z = 2.5, p = 0.01).
• 2
  Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified that LcS can reduce the risk of AAD at 30 days (OR: 0.36, 95% CI 0.13, 0.99, p < 0.05).
• 3
  The use of LcS was associated with a lower risk of AAD at 30 days follow up (28% v 53%, RR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.31–0.89)