Probiotics versus Antibiotics: Is this the only option?

Authors

  • Janicke van Wyk School of Science, Engineering & Technology Abertay University Dundee DD1 1HG
  • Randa Haddadin Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology University of Jordan Amman
  • Suhair Saleh Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Sciences Applied Sciences University Amman
  • Phillip J Collier School of Science, Engineering & Technology Abertay University Dundee DD1 1HG

Keywords:

probiotics, antibiotics, disease, infection

Abstract

The role of probiotics in potential prophylaxis of infectious disease has been studied for over a century, but until recently there has been no real interest in using these ‘benign’ bacterial species in place of or in combination with antibiotics. However, such suggestions are now commonplace and lead to a renewed interest in what has until recently been seen as a merely commercial branch of microbiology. This short review looks at the current literature in this area and attempts to identify if there is a scientific basis to inform the cautious clinical use of probiotics either alone or in combination with antibiotics. Whilst the evidence base is to date rather thin, there is sufficient to allow for a cautious support for such ideas. This review also identifies those areas in which further study is required before the general use of probiotics in the treatment of infection may be fully supported.

Author Biographies

Janicke van Wyk, School of Science, Engineering & Technology Abertay University Dundee DD1 1HG

Graduate Student

Randa Haddadin, Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology University of Jordan Amman

Assistant Professor

Suhair Saleh, Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Sciences Applied Sciences University Amman

Professor

Phillip J Collier, School of Science, Engineering & Technology Abertay University Dundee DD1 1HG

Director of Research Degrees

Senior Lecturer in Microbiology

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Published

2014-09-14

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