Efficacy of probiotics as an adjuvant agent in eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection and associated side effects

Abstract

The intestinal tract is a host to various types of bacteria that are essential to health. Interactions between intestinal bacteria, i.e. the normal microbiota of the host's intestine, have been a subject of intensive research, as they may influence disease cycles. Recent studies of selected probiotic species and their therapeutic benefits have suggested a potential efficacy in treatment of several gastrointestinal illnesses, including Helicobacter pylori infection. The increasing evidence from these clinical studies supports the promising role of probiotics in improving the treatment of H. pylori by increasing eradication rates as well as decreasing the adverse effects of current medication therapy. However, many unsolved questions remain which require high quality trials on specific probiotic strains in the future. The main part of this review will focus on the effects of supplementary probiotic products during standard triple H. pylori therapy.

Fifth Chinese National Consensus Report on the management of Helicobacter pylori infection

“…Currently, it is less controversial that certain probiotics may reduce the gastrointestinal adverse effects of H. pylori eradication treatment. However, further well‐designed studies are needed to clarify whether probiotics are able to improve the eradication rate of H. pylori …”

Efficacy and safety of probiotics in eradicating Helicobacter pylori

“…[2] At present, H pylori is recognized as the main cause of many digestive diseases, including chronic active gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcers, gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and gastric cancer. [3,4] It is urgent to find the satisfied eradication regimens. In the past few years, the recommended eradication regimens include clarithromycin triple regimen, bismuth quadruple regimen, concomitant regimen, and sequential regimen.…”