The Efficacy and Safety of Probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG on Prolonged, Noninfectious Diarrhea in HIV Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study
Open accessAbstract
PURPOSE: The aim of this placebo-controlled, crossover study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) in ameliorating gastrointestinal symptoms in HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy. METHOD: Infectious causes for diarrhea (bacteria, ova, parasites, and viruses including cryptosporidium, microsporidia, and cyclospora) were excluded with fecal samples before the study. HIV-infected patients with diarrhea for more than 1 month received in randomized order probiotic LGG preparation (containing viable LGG 1-5 x 1010 cfu/dose) and placebo twice a day for 2 weeks. Gastrointestinal symptoms were assessed daily and included the daily number of bowel movements, classification of stool consistency (watery, semi-watery, loose, firm, or foaming), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) of gastrointestinal symptoms (flatulence, stomach pain, bloating disorders, general well-being). RESULTS: Seventeen HIV-infected patients completed the study. There were no significant differences between the treatment groups in the frequency or the consistency of diarrhea. In the VAS assessments of gastrointestinal symptoms, no difference between LGG and placebo could be detected. No adverse events were reported. The number of HIV RNA copies in the blood and CD4 cell counts remained stable during the study. CONCLUSION: Probiotic LGG preparation was well-tolerated in HIV infected patients. No significant differences in noninfectious diarrhea or gastrointestinal symptoms compared to placebo could be observed in this crossover study.
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LB is usually associated with patients who have comorbidities or suppressed immune systems.
“LB is usually associated with patients who have comorbidities or suppressed immune systems [6,7,9,28,29,30].”
From Lactobacillus Bacteremia and Probiotics: A Review (2023) · cites this paper as [28]
The Conclusion: Probiotic section says immunosuppressive treatment predisposes patients to lactobacilli infections and reports a few cases of Lactobacillus bacteremia in HIV patients with low CD4 counts. The Discussion likewise identifies immunosuppressive treatment as a risk factor. Neither passage establishes that bacteremia is *usually* associated with these patients or addresses comorbidities more broadly; no page number is available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.84)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredIn one trial in immunocompromised HIV patients, Lcb. rhamnosus GG was given to 20 patients, yet none developed LB.
“In one trial in immunocompromised HIV patients, Lcb. rhamnosus GG was given to 20 patients, yet none developed LB [28].”
From Lactobacillus Bacteremia and Probiotics: A Review (2023) · cites this paper as [28]
The Patients section says 20 patients were enrolled, but only 17 completed the intervention; it does not establish that all 20 received LGG. The Safety section reports no clinical infections due to lactobacilli during the study or six-month follow-up among the study patients, supporting the LB outcome for the observed group but not the claim that all 20 were given LGG. (LLM, conf=0.89)
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References 43 · Cited by 103
Research works printed but not linked: 6
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- Authors
- Salminen, M. K., Tynkkynen, S., Rautelin, H., Poussa, T., Saxelin, M., Ristola, M., Valtonen, V., & Järvinen, A.
- Affiliations
- Helsinki University Hospital (FI)
- Valio (Finland) (FI)
- University of Helsinki (FI)
- Corresponding author
- Salminen, Minna K.
- Venue
- HIV Clinical Trials
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2004-08
- Volume
- 5
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 183-191
- ISSN
- 1528-4336 (ISSN-L)
- 1945-5771
- OpenAlex
- W1969956746
- Cited by
- 103
- References
- 43
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 9.93
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- HIV Clinical Trials (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Valio
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Probiotics and Fermented Foods
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Gastroenterology › Gastrointestinal motility and disorders
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
- Keywords
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, probiotics, HIV infection, antiretroviral therapy, gastrointestinal symptoms, diarrhea management, probiotic safety, stool consistency
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Diarrhea, Female, Humans, Lactobacillus, Male, HIV Infections, Treatment Outcome, Cross-Over Studies, Probiotics, Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active, Anti-Retroviral Agents
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