The role of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and Clostridium difficile colitis.

Clostridium difficile colitis is the most common gastrointestinal infection, exceeding all other gastrointestinal infections combined. There has been a dramatic increase in Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) worldwide during the past decade. Antibiotic therapy is a trigger precipitating antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD), which may lead to CDI. The antibiotic alters the protective, diverse bacteria allowing pathogenic bacteria to cause disease. Probiotics have been effective in reducing AAD and preventing CDI.