Effect of Probiotics on Preventing Disruption of the Intestinal Microflora Following Antibiotic Therapy: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study

(Plummer et al. 2005)

The probiotic formula that is used in GENESTRA BRANDS HMF Antibiotic Care was found to minimize disruption of the intestinal micobiota following antibiotic therapy and prevent the development of antibiotic resistance. This 5-week long, double-blind placebo-controlled study was conducted in 162 participants infected with Helicobacter pylori that were receiving a triple therapy antibiotic treatment regimen. Participants received antibiotic therapy for days 1-7 of the study, and probiotic or placebo therapy for days 1-21. The probiotic capsule contained 2.5×1010 CFU from Lactobacillus acidophilus CUL60 and CUL21, and two strains of Bifidobacterium. Fecal samples were obtained at days 1, 7 and 35, and then analyzed for bacterial composition and bacterial strain antibiotic resistance. Compared with the placebo group, significantly fewer participants in the probiotic treatment group had enterococci bacteria resistant to amoxicillin. Probiotic supplementation helped significantly reduce overgrowth of potentially harmful facultative anaerobic bacteria, including coliforms, enterococci and Staphylococcus aureus. As well, probiotic supplementation helped to minimize the loss of lactobacilli bacteria: the level of lactobacilli was significantly lowered in the placebo group following antibiotic therapy, but not in the probiotic treatment group.

• Significant reduction in antibiotic resistance
• Decreased overgrowth of coliforms, enterococci and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria
• Prevented loss of lactobacilli bacteria