Int J Antimicrob Agents  1999 Aug;12(4):287-92 

Review of probiotics available to modify gastrointestinal flora.

Gismondo MR, Drago L, Lombardi A.

Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, L. Sacco Teaching Hospital, University of

Milan, Italy. microbio@imiucca.csi.unimi.it

There is evidence that the oral consumption of micro-organisms produces a

protective effect on the gut flora. A significant number of studies suggests

that probiotics might have beneficial effects on several microbial disorders of

the gut, but it is very difficult to define the clinical efficacy of such

products. In this review, we report the results of studies on traveller's

diarrhoea (TD), antibiotic associated diarrhoea (AAD) and acute diarrhoea (AD)

in which various probiotic preparations have been used in controlled trials and

been shown to have a beneficial therapeutic or prophylactic effect.