Review
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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 21, 2014; 20(47): 17788-17795
Published online Dec 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i47.17788
Probiotics for antibiotic-associated diarrhea: Do we have a verdict?
Iyad Issa, Rami Moucari
Iyad Issa, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Rafik Hariri University Hospital, Hamra, Beirut 2034-7304
Rami Moucari, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Advanced Cure Diagnostic Center, UAE 61887, Abu Dhabi
Author contributions: Issa I wrote the first draft and polished the English language; Moucari R did the literature search and edited the final manuscript.
Correspondence to: Iyad Issa, MD, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Rafik Hariri University Hospital, Specialty Clinics Center 4B, Hamra, Beirut 2034-7304, Lebanon. iyadissa71@gmail.com
Telephone: +96-11-737377 Fax: +96-11-737399
Received: March 19, 2014
Revised: May 16, 2014
Accepted: July 24, 2014
Published online: December 21, 2014
Processing time: 276 Days and 13.9 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: Probiotics use has been steadily increasing over the past ten years. One of the areas thoroughly examined includes prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Nonetheless, although trials are abundant, they are often confusing and conflicting. Adding insult to injury is the publication of the largest randomized controlled trial showing no benefit in prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. We attempted to summarize, categorize and study the present literature detailing the important trials and their drawbacks in an attempt to come up with a reasonable consensus for their use.