SynthesisThe Cochrane database of systematic reviews2004
Probiotics for treating infectious diarrhoea.
Synthesis in The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2004. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 2 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 76 papers, 6 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Prevention of Irinotecan Induced Diarrhea by Probiotics: A Phase III Study
A Clinical Study to Determine the Effects of a Novel Probiotic Microbial Composite™ on Improving Digestive Health and Key Growth Parameters in Undernourished Young Children
Who cites it
76 citing papers in PubMed, 6 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 379 citations in OpenAlex.
- Probiotics for treating acute infectious diarrhoea.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2020Pooled it
- Infectious complications following probiotic ingestion: a potentially underestimated problem? A systematic review of reports and case series.BMC complementary and alternative medicine · 2018Pooled it
- Probiotics for treating eczema.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2018Pooled it
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of probiotics for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.International forum of allergy & rhinology · 2015Pooled it
- Probiotics for treating persistent diarrhoea in children.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2013Pooled it
- Probiotics for treating acute infectious diarrhoea.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2010Pooled it
- The impact of probiotics on pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and growth outcomes in pediatric cystic fibrosis: a randomized controlled trial.BMC pediatrics · 2025Trial
- Effect of maternal supplement beverage with and without probiotics during pregnancy and lactation on maternal and infant health: a randomized controlled trial in the Philippines.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2018Trial
- Randomised controlled trial ofBMJ open · 2017Trial
- Trial
- The effect of Lactobacillus GG on acute diarrheal illness in the pediatric emergency department.Pediatric emergency care · 2012Trial
- Probiotics in the treatment of acute rotavirus diarrhoea. A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial using two different probiotic preparations in Bolivian children.BMC infectious diseases · 2010Trial
- Probiotics for treatment of acute diarrhoea in children: randomised clinical trial of five different preparations.BMJ (Clinical research ed.) · 2007Trial
- Prevention of febrile neutropenia in cancer patients by probiotic strain Enterococcus faecium M-74. Phase II study.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2006Trial
- Computational prediction of new therapeutic effects of probiotics.Scientific reports · 2024Article
- The Effects of Commercially AvailableInfection and drug resistance · 2022Article
- Term Infant Formulas Influencing Gut Microbiota: An Overview.Nutrients · 2021Review
- The Cooperation ofMicroorganisms · 2021Article
- Exploring the Ecology of Bifidobacteria and Their Genetic Adaptation to the Mammalian Gut.Microorganisms · 2020Review
- The indole compound MA-35 attenuates tumorigenesis in an inflammation-induced colon cancer model.Scientific reports · 2019Article
16 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
- Commented on by
- Updated by
Authors and funding
5 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundProbiotics are microbial cell preparations or components of microbial cells that have a beneficial effect on the health and well being of the host. Probiotics may offer a safe intervention in acute infectious diarrhoea to reduce the duration and severity of the illness.
objectivesTo assess the effects of probiotics in proven or presumed infectious diarrhoea. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group's trials register (December 2002), the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (The Cochrane Library Issue 4, 2002), MEDLINE (1966 to 2002), EMBASE (1988 to 2002), and reference lists from studies and reviews. We also contacted organizations and individuals working in the field, and pharmaceutical companies manufacturing probiotic agents. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials comparing a specified probiotic agent with placebo or no probiotic in people with acute diarrhoea that is proven or presumed to be caused by an infectious agent. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently assessed trial methodological quality and extracted data. MAIN
resultsTwenty-three studies met the inclusion criteria with a total of 1917 participants, mainly in countries with low overall mortality rates. Trials varied in relation to the probiotic(s) tested, dosage, methodological quality, and the diarrhoea definitions and outcomes. Probiotics reduced the risk of diarrhoea at 3 days (relative risk 0.66, 95% confidence interval 0.55 to 0.77, random effects model; 15 studies) and the mean duration of diarrhoea by 30.48 hours (95% confidence interval 18.51 to 42.46 hours, random effects model, 12 studies). Subgroup analysis by probiotic(s) tested, rotavirus diarrhoea, national mortality rates, and age of participants did not fully account for the heterogeneity. REVIEWERS'
conclusionsProbiotics appear to be a useful adjunct to rehydration therapy in treating acute, infectious diarrhoea in adults and children. More research is needed to inform the use of particular probiotic regimens in specific patient groups.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.