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.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
January 2005
Experience and Reason|
January 01 2005
Lactobacillus Sepsis Associated With Probiotic Therapy
Michael H. Land, MD;
Michael H. Land, MD
*Departments of Pediatrics
Search for other works by this author on:
Kelly Rouster-Stevens, MD;
Kelly Rouster-Stevens, MD
*Departments of Pediatrics
Search for other works by this author on:
Charles R. Woods, MD;
Charles R. Woods, MD
*Departments of Pediatrics
Search for other works by this author on:
Michael L. Cannon, MD;
Michael L. Cannon, MD
‡Anesthesiology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Search for other works by this author on:
James Cnota, MD;
James Cnota, MD
*Departments of Pediatrics
Search for other works by this author on:
Avinash K. Shetty, MD
Avinash K. Shetty, MD
*Departments of Pediatrics
Search for other works by this author on:
Address correspondence to Avinash K. Shetty, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27157. E-mail: [email protected]
Pediatrics (2005) 115 (1): 178–181.
Article history
Accepted:
September 30 2004
Citation
Michael H. Land, Kelly Rouster-Stevens, Charles R. Woods, Michael L. Cannon, James Cnota, Avinash K. Shetty; Lactobacillus Sepsis Associated With Probiotic Therapy. Pediatrics January 2005; 115 (1): 178–181. 10.1542/peds.2004-2137
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Purchased this content as a guest? Enter your email address to restore access.
Please enter valid email address.
Pay-Per-View Access
$35.00
Comments