Lactobacillus sepsis associated with probiotic therapy.

Publisher: American Academy of Pediatrics Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 0376422 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1098-4275 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00314005 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Pediatrics Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: Elk Grove Village Il : American Academy of Pediatrics
Original Publication: Springfield, Ill., Thomas.

Lactobacillus*/classification ; Lactobacillus*/genetics ; Lactobacillus*/isolation & purification; Bacteremia/*etiology ; Probiotics/*adverse effects ; Sepsis/*etiology; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Bacterial Typing Techniques ; Child ; DNA Fingerprinting ; Diarrhea/drug therapy ; Diarrhea, Infantile/drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Probiotics/therapeutic use ; Sepsis/drug therapy ; Sepsis/microbiology ; Urinary Tract Infections/drug therapy

Probiotic strains of lactobacilli are increasingly being used in clinical practice because of their many health benefits. Infections associated with probiotic strains of lactobacilli are extremely rare. We describe 2 patients who received probiotic lactobacilli and subsequently developed bacteremia and sepsis attributable to Lactobacillus species. Molecular DNA fingerprinting analysis showed that the Lactobacillus strain isolated from blood samples was indistinguishable from the probiotic strain ingested by the patients. This report indicates, for the first time, that invasive disease can be associated with probiotic lactobacilli. This report should not discourage the appropriate use of Lactobacillus or other probiotic agents but should serve as a reminder that these agents can cause invasive disease in certain populations.

Comment in: Pediatrics. 2005 Aug;116(2):517; author reply 517-8. (PMID: 16061615)

0 (Anti-Bacterial Agents)

Date Created: 20050105 Date Completed: 20050419 Latest Revision: 20060413

20231215

10.1542/peds.2004-2137

15629999