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Review
. 2021 Jun 30;9(7):1412.
doi: 10.3390/microorganisms9071412.

Evaluation of the Effect of Limosilactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 on Gastrointestinal Infections in Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Belén Pastor-Villaescusa  1   2 , Ruth Blanco-Rojo  2 , Mónica Olivares  2
Affiliations
Review

Evaluation of the Effect of Limosilactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 on Gastrointestinal Infections in Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Belén Pastor-Villaescusa et al. Microorganisms. .

Abstract

Reducing the incidence of gastrointestinal infections (GIs) that occur at early stages to mitigate hospitalizations and treatments with adverse effects is a promising strategy for providing well-being to infants and their families. This systematic review and meta-analysis explores whether the early administration of Limosilactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 might be effective as a preventive therapy for GIs. We reviewed the literature to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effectiveness of milk formulas supplemented with L. fermentum CECT5716 administered to infants at early stages to reduce the incidence of GIs. The MEDLINE (via PubMed), Web of Science (WoS), and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (via CENTRAL) databases were searched up to 15 June 2021. GI data from the included studies were synthesized in a random-effects model. Three RCTs were finally selected including 435 infants. There was a significant reduction in the incidence rate of GIs for those receiving L. fermentum CECT5716 compared with those receiving placebo (IRR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.36-0.74, p = 0.0004). Heterogeneity between studies was moderate (I2 = 54.5%). Based on the present systematic review and meta-analysis, the administration of L. fermentum CECT5716 at doses from 1 × 109 to 8.4 × 108 cfu/day in milk formulas may prevent GIs in infants up to 12 months old. Longer-term studies including a higher number of infants are needed to determine whether the use of this probiotic during the early stages of life is an efficient way to reduce the incidence of GIs.

Keywords: Lactobacillus fermentum; Limosilactobacillus fermentum; diarrhea; formula-fed infant; gastrointestinal infection; probiotics.

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Conflict of interest statement

B.P.-V. has been an employee of Biosearch Life. R.B.-R. and M.O. are employees of Biosearch Life. Biosearch Life is the owner of the patent for L. fermentum CECT5716. The authors declare no other conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA flow diagram illustrating the selection process of included studies.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Forest plots illustrating the effect of L. fermentum CECT5716 interventions on the incidence of GIs in formula-fed infants. Abbreviations: CI, confidence interval; GI, gastrointestinal infection.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Summary of risk of bias assessment of included studies. Green (+): Low risk; Red (−): High risk; Yellow (?): Unclear risk.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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