Background: The effects of probiotics on ulcerative colitis has still remained a contraversy. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of Lactobacillus casei strain ATCC PTA-3945 in treating ulcerative colitis. Materials and Methods: Thirty four patients with mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis randomly received a probiotic preparation of L. casei strain ATCC PTA-3945 (n = 17) or its placebo (n = 17) plus conventional medical therapy for their active disease. After a maximum of 2 months, remitted patients were again randomised to receive L. casei strain ATCC PTA-3945 or placebo, and also maintained on mesalazine or sulfasalazine tablets for a maximum of 6 months. Results: The numbers of patients achieving remission did not statistically differ between probiotic and placebo groups (82% vs. 76% at intention to treat analysis [P = 1.00], and 100% vs. 81.2% at per-protocol analysis [P = 0.23], respectively). The mean time to clinical remission were 25 days and 32 days in probiotic and placebo groups, respectively (P = 0.11). Relapse rates also did not significantly differ between probiotic and placebo groups (14.3% vs. 26.7% at ITT analysis [P = 0.65] and 16.7% vs. 33.3% [P = 0.64], respectively). Mean time to relapse were 96 days and 74 days in the probiotic and the placebo group, respectively (P = 0.51). Conclusion: The results of this preliminary study showed no significant effect by using L. casei strain ATCC PTA-3945 probiotic in the treatment of ulcerative colitis patients.
In summary, it seems that HAV infection is not highly endemic at least in some urban areas of Iran. On the basis of this epidemiologic data, post exposure prophylaxis would be necessary for children and young adults, and hepatitis A vaccination strategy should be revised.
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