Effect of a lactobacilli preparation on traveler's diarrhea. A randomized, double blind clinical trial.

Abstract

The effectiveness of prophylactic ingestion of a commercial preparation of lactobacilli (Lactinex) for the prevention or modification of traveler's diarrhea was tested in a randomized double blind clinical trial in 50 volunteer travelers to Mexico from the United States. Twenty-six subjects received the lactobacilli preparation and 24 received placebo. The incidence of diarrhea and its duration during the 4 weeks of observation were quite similar for the two preparations: 35% for lactobacilli-treated subjects and 29% for placebo subjects. Typically, the diarrhea was mild, lasting 2 days. From the observations during this study we conclude that prophylactic ingestion of lactobacilli for 1 week does not reduce the incidence or duration of traveler's diarrhea either during the period of ingestion or during the following 3 weeks.

• Authors: J de dios Pozo-Olano, J H Warram Jr, R G Gómez, M G Cavazos
• Journal: Gastroenterology (Gastroenterology) Vol. 74 Issue 5 Pt 1 Pg. 829-30 (May 1978) ISSN: 0016-5085 [Print] United States
• PMID: 416989 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Antidiarrheals
• Placebos

Topics

• Adolescent
• Antidiarrheals (therapeutic use)
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Diarrhea (epidemiology, prevention & control)
• Double-Blind Method
• Humans
• Lactobacillus
• Lactobacillus acidophilus
• Mexico
• Placebos
• Travel
• United States (ethnology)