Probiotics cut C-Diff by 66%

Probiotics were associated with a 66% reduction in the incidence of Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea (CDAD) with very few adverse events, according to a study in the November 13 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.

Probiotic prophylaxis would prevent 33 episodes of antibiotic-associated CDAD per 1000 patients, the authors report, with low relative risk for clinically relevant adverse events.

The authors write. "Given the low cost of probiotics and the moderate-quality evidence suggesting the absence of important adverse effects, there seems little reason not to encourage the use of probiotics in patients receiving antibiotics who are at appreciable risk for CDAD."

Steve: Big Pharma would kill for a 33 episode per 1000 of antibiotic-associated CDAD!