Administration of probiotics close to the time of the first dose of antibiotic therapy in hospitalized patients reduced the risk of Clostridium difficile infection by more than 50%, according to results of a systematic review and meta-analysis published in Gastroenterology. The incidence of C. difficile infections is rising and causing a substantial burden on the healthcare system. Researchers have estimated that more than 20% of patients with C. difficile infection fail initial treatment, with many patients having a recurrence.
In addition, approximately 30,000 patients in the United States died from these infections in 2011. Risk factors for infections caused by C. difficile include use of antibiotics, hospitalization, increasing age, and comorbidities. Because of the morbidity and mortality associated with these infections, measures that may prevent their occurrence are needed. …
