Probiotics for treating persistent diarrhoea in children.

BACKGROUND: Persistent diarrhoea (diarrhoea lasting more than 14 days) accounts for one third of all diarrhoea related deaths in developing countries in some studies. Probiotics may help treatment. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate probiotics for treating persistent diarrhoea in children. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group Specialized Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and LILACS. We also contacted authors of included trials and organizations working in the field, and checked reference lists. The date of the most recent search was 13 December 2012 SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials comparing a specified probiotic agent with placebo or no probiotic in children with persistent diarrhoea. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors assessed the eligibility, risk of bias, extracted and analysed data. Differences were resolved by discussion. Statistical analysis were performed using the fixed-effect model and the results were expressed as mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes with 95% confidence intervals (CI). MAIN RESULTS: Four trials were included, with a total number of 464 participants; one trial had a low risk of bias. Meta-analysis showed that probiotics reduced the duration of persistent diarrhoea (mean difference 4.02 days, 95% CI 4.61 to 3.43 days, n = 324, two trials). Stool frequency was reduced with probiotics in two trials. One trial reported a shorter hospital stay, which was significant, but numbers were small. No adverse events were reported. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is limited evidence suggesting probiotics may be effective in treating persistent diarrhoea in children.

Probiotics for treating persistent diarrhoea in children.

BACKGROUND: Persistent diarrhoea (diarrhoea lasting more than 14 days) accounts for one third of all diarrhoea related deaths in developing countries in some studies. Probiotics may help treatment. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate probiotics for treating persistent diarrhoea in children. SEARCH STRATEGY: In August 2010, we searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group Specialized Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and LILACS. We also contacted authors of included trials and organizations working in the field, and checked reference lists. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials comparing a specified probiotic agent with placebo or no probiotic in children with persistent diarrhoea. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors assessed the eligibility, risk of bias, extracted and analysed data. Differences were resolved by discussion. Statistical analysis were performed using the fixed-effect model and the results were expressed as mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes with 95% confidence intervals (CI). MAIN RESULTS: Four trials were included, with a total number of 464 participants; one trial had a low risk of bias. Meta-analysis showed that probiotics reduced the duration of persistent diarrhoea (mean difference 4.02 days, 95% CI 4.61 to 3.43 days, n=324, 2 trials). Stool frequency was reduced with probiotics in two trials. One trial reported a shorter hospital stay, which was significant, but numbers were small. No adverse events were reported. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is limited evidence suggesting probiotics may be effective in treating persistent diarrhoea in children.

Sensibilización a los alérgenos de las penicilinas en pacientes que padecen enfermedades alérgicas / Sensitization to penicillin allergens in patients suffering from allergic diseases

Los antibióticos ß-lactámicos son los más utilizados, dada su eficacia para patógenos bacterianos comunes y su precio relativamente bajo. Para evaluar la sensibilización a los alérgenos mayores y menores de la penicilina en pacientes que padecen enfermedades alérgicas, se realizó un estudio observacional analítico de casos y controles, en el universo de 458 individuos derivados al Servicio de Alergia Previsora (Camagüey, Cuba), desde enero del 2010 hasta noviembre del 2016. Se seleccionó una muestra de 178 niños y adultos con el diagnóstico de asma, rinitis y urticaria de las edades 6 a 60 años. Los que tenían antecedentes, no confirmados, de alergia a penicilinas se consideraron casos (n=60) y los que no tenían el antecedente controles (n=118). Toda la muestra tenía pruebas de Prick positivas a uno o más de los ácaros domésticos Dermatophagoides pteronysinus, Dermatophagoides siboney y Blomia tropicalis, así como a algún alimento. Un grupo de ellos también resultaron positivos a PPL y MD. Se distribuyeron los pacientes en sensibilizados o no con los alérgenos PPL y MD. La prevalencia general de alergia a las penicilinas fue de 24,15 por ciento (15,7 por ciento en los casos y 8,9 por ciento en los controles). La prueba DAP® - Penicilinas mostró mayor número de positivos en los casos que en los controles (p=0,037, OR=5,21). Del total de alérgicos a las penicilinas, el mayor número de pacientes correspondieron al sexo femenino (p=0,031). El test cutáneo con alérgenos PPL y MD puede confirmar el diagnóstico de alergia a penicilinas en pacientes atópicos(AU)

ß-lactam antibiotics are the most widely used, given their efficacy for common bacterial pathogens and their relatively low price. To evaluate sensitization to major and minor allergens of penicillin in patients suffering from allergic diseases, an observational, analytical study of cases and controls was carried out in the universe of 458 individuals referred to the Previsora Allergy Service (Camagüey, Cuba) from January 2010 to November 2016. A sample of 178 children and adults aged 6 to 60 years diagnosed with asthma, rhinitis and urticarial was selected. Those who had a medical history, not confirmed, of allergy to penicillins were considered cases (n=60) and those who did not have the antecedent were the controls (n=118). All the sample had positive Prick tests to one or more of the house mites Dermatophagoides pteronysinus, Dermatophagoides siboney and Blomia tropicalis, as well as against some foods. Some individuals were also positive for PPL and MD. Patients were distributed in sensitized or not with the allergens PPL and MD. The general prevalence of allergy to penicillins was 24.15 percent (15.7 percent in cases and 8.9 percent in controls). The DAP® - Penicillins test showed a greater number of positives in cases than in controls (p=0.037; OR=5.21). The largest number of patients allergic to penicillins corresponded to the female sex (p=0.031). The skin test with allergens PPL and MD can confirm the diagnosis of allergy to penicillins in atopic patients(AU)

Sensibilización a los alérgenos de las penicilinas en pacientes que padecen enfermedades alérgicas / Sensitization to penicillin allergens in patients suffering from allergic diseases

Los antibióticos ß-lactámicos son los más utilizados, dada su eficacia para patógenos bacterianos comunes y su precio relativamente bajo. Para evaluar la sensibilización a los alérgenos mayores y menores de la penicilina en pacientes que padecen enfermedades alérgicas, se realizó un estudio observacional analítico de casos y controles, en el universo de 458 individuos derivados al Servicio de Alergia Previsora (Camagüey, Cuba), desde enero del 2010 hasta noviembre del 2016. Se seleccionó una muestra de 178 niños y adultos con el diagnóstico de asma, rinitis y urticaria de las edades 6 a 60 años. Los que tenían antecedentes, no confirmados, de alergia a penicilinas se consideraron casos (n=60) y los que no tenían el antecedente controles (n=118). Toda la muestra tenía pruebas de Prick positivas a uno o más de los ácaros domésticos Dermatophagoides pteronysinus, Dermatophagoides siboney y Blomia tropicalis, así como a algún alimento. Un grupo de ellos también resultaron positivos a PPL y MD. Se distribuyeron los pacientes en sensibilizados o no con los alérgenos PPL y MD. La prevalencia general de alergia a las penicilinas fue de 24,15 por ciento (15,7 por ciento en los casos y 8,9 por ciento en los controles). La prueba DAP® - Penicilinas mostró mayor número de positivos en los casos que en los controles (p=0,037, OR=5,21). Del total de alérgicos a las penicilinas, el mayor número de pacientes correspondieron al sexo femenino (p=0,031). El test cutáneo con alérgenos PPL y MD puede confirmar el diagnóstico de alergia a penicilinas en pacientes atópicos(AU)

ß-lactam antibiotics are the most widely used, given their efficacy for common bacterial pathogens and their relatively low price. To evaluate sensitization to major and minor allergens of penicillin in patients suffering from allergic diseases, an observational, analytical study of cases and controls was carried out in the universe of 458 individuals referred to the Previsora Allergy Service (Camagüey, Cuba) from January 2010 to November 2016. A sample of 178 children and adults aged 6 to 60 years diagnosed with asthma, rhinitis and urticarial was selected. Those who had a medical history, not confirmed, of allergy to penicillins were considered cases (n=60) and those who did not have the antecedent were the controls (n=118). All the sample had positive Prick tests to one or more of the house mites Dermatophagoides pteronysinus, Dermatophagoides siboney and Blomia tropicalis, as well as against some foods. Some individuals were also positive for PPL and MD. Patients were distributed in sensitized or not with the allergens PPL and MD. The general prevalence of allergy to penicillins was 24.15 percent (15.7 percent in cases and 8.9 percent in controls). The DAP® - Penicillins test showed a greater number of positives in cases than in controls (p=0.037; OR=5.21). The largest number of patients allergic to penicillins corresponded to the female sex (p=0.031). The skin test with allergens PPL and MD can confirm the diagnosis of allergy to penicillins in atopic patients(AU)