Efficacy of tyndalized Lactobacillus acidophilus in acute diarrhea

Abstract

Objective: A double-blind randomized controlled-trial was done to evaluate the efficacy of tyndalized Lactobacillus acidophilus in acute diarrhea.

Methods: All children from 6 months to 12 years with acute diarrhea were included. Lactobacillus acidophilus/placebo was given to the children for 3 days with ORS and feeds. Intake-output was recorded 4 hourly. Of the 98 children, 48 received lactobacillus and 50 the placebo.

Results: ORS consumed, frequency of stools, duration of diarrhea, time for rehydration, hospital stay, weight gain and IVF needed were comparable in the two study groups. There were 4 treatment failures in the lactobacillus group and none in the placebo group (OR 0.92, 95%CI 0.84-0.99). In the rotaviral diarrhea and in those who had diarrhea of less then 60 hours the difference did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion: There is no significant benefit of tyndalized Lactobacillus acidophilus in acute diarrhea.