EFFECT OF PROBIOTICS ON INTESTINAL FLORA, INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE, AND IMMUNE FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH ANTIBIOTIC-ASSOCIATED DIARRHOEA

Yan Meng^*, Guying Zhang, Xijuan Jiang, Jing Yang 

Department of Pharmacy, Children’s Hospital of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang 050031, Hebei Province, China

Objective: To investigate the effect of probiotics on intestinal flora, inflammatory response, and immune function in patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhoea (AAD). 

Methods: A total of 144 patients with AAD were enrolled in our hospital from December 2019 to March 2021. The patients were divided into an observation group (n = 72) and a control group (n = 72). The control group was treated with routine treatment, and the observation group was treated with Bifidobacterium tetra active bacteria tablets. The total efficacy rate in the two groups was compared, and changes in intestinal flora (Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, E. coli), and inflammatory factors (IL-2, IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor [TNF-α]) were compared before and after treatment. Immune function (IgG, IgA, and IgM) was assessed. 

Results: Compared to the control group, stool recovery time and the time to change in stool characteristics in the observation group were significantly reduced (P<0.05). No significant difference between the observation group and the control group was found (P>0.05). The observation group had 44 cases, 24 cases were effective, and the total effective rate was 94.44%; The control group was effective in 30 cases, effective in 27 cases, and the total effective rate was 79.17%; The difference in the total effective rate between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared to that before treatment, the number of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the observation group were significantly increased, and the number of E. coli was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the number of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the observation group were significantly increased, and the number of E. coli was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with before treatment, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α were observed in the two groups after treatment. The concentrations in the two groups were significantly lower (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α were observed in the observation group. The concentrations in the two groups were significantly lower (P<0.05). Compared with before treatment, the levels of IgG, IgA, and IgM in the two groups were significantly higher (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the levels of IgG, IgA and IgM in the observation group were significantly higher (P<0.05). No obvious adverse reactions were observed in either of the two groups. 

Conclusions: Probiotics showed a significant clinical effect on patients with AAD, suggesting that probiotics effectively promoted the reconstitution of intestinal flora, enhanced immune function in these patients, and alleviated inflammatory reactions. No discernible adverse reactions were observed, which suggests the treatment has an excellent safety profile.