Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum stored at ambient temperature are effective in the treatment of acute diarrhoea

Introduction: Probiotics have demonstrated potential to reduce duration of diarrhoea and frequency of watery stools. Probiotics such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum (Infloran (R)) are usually maintained at a storage temperature of 4 degrees C which is generally not feasible in tropical or sub-tropical countries. Aim: The efficacy of Infloran (R) for treatment of acute diarrhoea when stored at 28-32 degrees C (room temperature) was evaluated. Methods: This was a double-blind, randomised study of infants and children aged 2 months to 7 years with acute diarrhoea. Patients were randomly assigned to receive Infloran (R) stored at 4 degrees C, at room temperature, or to a placebo group. Duration of diarrhoea was a primary outcome, while the number of stools, hospital stay and requirement for rehydration fluid were secondary outcomes. Results: Probiotics shortened duration of diarrhoea (34.1 and 34.8 hrs when stored either at 4 degrees C or at room temperature, respectively, and 58 hrs with placebo, p<0.01) and reduced the number of stools (7.3 and 8 vs 15.9 with placebo, p<0.01). Conclusion: Administration of probiotics is beneficial as additional treatment of acute diarrhoea and efficacy is not affected by storage temperature.