Bifidobacteria

 
 

Source: iStock

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection facts

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 Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a gram-negative bacterium that

causes chronic inflammation (infection) in the stomach and duodenum,
and is a common contagious cause of ulcers worldwide. These
bacteria are sometimes termed "ulcer bacteria."
 Helicobacter pylori causes chronic inflammation (gastritis) by invading
the lining of the stomach and producing a cytotoxin termed vacuolating
cytotoxin A (Vac-A), and thus can lead to ulcer formation.
 Although many infected individuals have no symptoms, other infected
individuals may have occasional episodes of
 o belching,
o bloating,
o nausea and vomiting, and
o abdominal discomfort.
 More serious infections cause symptoms of
o abdominal pain,
o nausea and vomiting that may include vomiting blood,
o passing dark or tarry-like stools,
o fatigue,
o low red blood cell count (anemia),
o decreased appetite,
o diarrhea,
o peptic ulcers,
o heartburn, and
o bad breath.
 H. pylori is contagious; however, some individuals may simply have the
bacteria in their gut, and the bacteria causes no symptoms of disease.
 The diagnosis of H. pylori infection includes tests for antibodies in blood,
a urea breath test, tests for antigens in stool, and endoscopic
biopsies.
 Chronic infections with Helicobacter pylori weakens the natural
defenses of the stomach so most individuals with symptoms need to be
treated to prevent ulceration formation.
 H. pylori can be difficult to eradicate from the stomach with antibiotics
because of antibiotic resistance; consequently, two or more antibiotics
are usually given together (treatment regimen) with a proton pump
inhibitor (PPI) medication (for
 example, omeprazole [Prilosec, Zegerid] or esomeprazole [Nexium])
termed H. pylori treatment and/or triple therapy.
 In general, patients should be treated if they are infected with H.
pylori and have ulcers. Moreover, patients who develop
MALT lymphoma (a type of cancer) of the stomach have the
lymphoma progress if H. pylori is not treated and eradicated.
 Because about 50% of the world's population is infected with H. pylori,
treatment and prevention of side effects and complications is difficult;
however, recommendations to help prevent ulcers include:
o Reduce or stop alcohol intake and quit smoking.
o Use acetaminophen (Tylenol and others) instead of NSAIDs, for
example, aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).
o Avoid caffeine.
o Check for symptoms of H. pylori infection after radiation therapy.
o Avoid or reduce stress.
 Good hand washing techniques with uncontaminated water will reduce
the chances of infection.
 Currently, no vaccine is available against H. pylori to prevent either
colonization or infection.
 The prognosis for H. pylori infections is usually good to excellent, but up
to 20% of affected individuals may have reoccurring infection. Untreated
and more severe infections have a worse prognosis because of the
potential for bleeding, anemia, and low blood
pressure (hypotension).

What Is H. pylori, and Is It Contagious?

H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori) are spiral shaped bacteria. H. pylori bacteria are unique because they
produce the enzyme urease that allows the bacteria to live in the harsh environment of the stomach. The
urease enzyme it produces reacts with urea to form ammonia that neutralizes enough of the stomach's
acid to allow the organisms to survive in the tissues.
 H. pylori is considered to be contagious and passed from person to person by:

 saliva,
 fecal contamination (in food or water), and
 poor hygiene practices.

Read more about H. pylori and how it is spread »

Source: MedicineNet

What is Helicobacter pylori (stomach

bacteria)?
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Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori or, as it is sometimes termed, stomach bacteria)

is a spiral-shaped gram-negative bacterium that can cause chronic
inflammation of the inner lining of the stomach (gastritis) and in the duodenum
(first part of the small bowel) in humans. This bacterium also is considered a
common cause of ulcers worldwide; as many as 90% of people with ulcers are
infected with H. pylori. However, many people have these organisms residing
in (colonising or mucosa-associated) their stomach and upper digestive tract
and have few or no symptoms. LPS (lipopolysaccharide) is part of the H.
pylori outer membrane and can be toxic when the bacteria die and lyse.

Source: Getty Images

How do you get H. pylori?

H. pylori bacteria may cause a stomach infection in some individuals. H.
pylori infections start with a person acquiring the bacterium from another
person (via either the fecal-oral or oral-oral route). Although the majority of
individuals who have these bacteria in their gastrointestinal (GI) tracts have
few if any symptoms (see symptoms), most people develop stomach
inflammation (gastritis) from the body's response to the bacterium itself and to
a cytotoxin-associated substance termed Vac-A, a chemical that the
bacterium produces.

Researchers also suggest that stomach acid stimulates the bacterium to grow
and produce the cytotoxin, and increases invasion of the lining of the stomach
 by the bacteria, with resulting inflammation, and peptic ulcer formation
(peptic ulcer disease). Other investigators have shown that these bacteria
and their products cause alterations in the cells of the stomach lining that
when altered are associated with stomach and other cancers, although these
are infrequently seen diseases.

The frequency of people infected may somehow be related to race. About

60% of Hispanics and about 54% of African Americans have detectable
organisms as compared to about 20% to 29% of White Americans. In
developing countries, children are very commonly infected.

Source: iStock

What are the early and serious

symptoms and signs of Helicobacter
pylori infections?
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Most individuals with Helicobacter pylori infections have few or no symptoms.
Some may experience a few symptoms from mild gastritis episodes, for
example,

1. minor belching,
2. bloating,
3. nausea,
4. vomiting, and
5. abdominal discomfort.

Often, these symptoms simply go away. However, those individuals who have
more serious infection experience signs and symptoms of stomach and
duodenal ulcers or severe gastritis which include:

1. Abdominal pain and/or discomfort that usually does not wax and wane
2. Nausea and vomiting sometimes with blood that is red, or the color is
like coffee grounds or like vomitus
3. Dark or tar-like stools (black color of feces due to bleeding ulcers)
4. Fatigue
5. Low red blood cell counts due to bleeding
6. Full feeling after consuming a small amount of food
7. Decreased appetite that is more constant

Other symptoms may include:

1. Diarrhea
2. Heartburn
3. Bad breath (halitosis)
Persons with symptoms of black, tarry stools and fatigue should seek
immediate medical help or go to an emergency department to be
evaluated for intestinal bleeding.

SLIDESHOW

Digestive Disorders: Common MisconceptionsSee Slideshow

 Source: iStock

Is H. pylori contagious?
Yes, H. pylori is contagious. However, sometimes there is a gray area
between the terms contagious and colonized. Contagious usually implies that
a disease-causing agent is transferred from person to person, while
colonization usually implies an agent that simply populates an organ but does
not cause disease, even when transferred from person to person. The gray
area occurs when many people have the agent that causes disease in some
of them, but not in many others. Some microbiologists consider such
organisms as adapting to their human hosts by slowly changing from infecting
humans to colonizing them. Although this is a speculation, it seems to fit the
ongoing situation with H. pylori. However, others think the bacteria become
infecting agents when H. pylori’s genetic makeup is triggered by the
surrounding GI environment to produce and release enough toxic chemicals
to cause the GI tract to become inflamed.
 Which specialties of doctors treat H.
pylori infection?
Many individuals can be treated by their primary care doctors; however, some
people may need specialists like infectious disease specialists,
gastroenterologists, and possibly a surgeon to help manage and/or treat the
person with H. pylori infection.

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Is there a test to diagnose H.

pylori infection?
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Accurate and simple tests for the detection of H. pylori infection are available
(H. pylori infection tests). They include blood antibody tests, urea breath
tests, stool antigen tests, and endoscopic biopsies.

Blood tests for the presence of antibodies to H. pylori can be performed

easily and rapidly. However, blood antibodies can persist for years after
complete eradication of H. pylori with antibiotics. Therefore, blood antibody
tests (immunoglobulin G or IgG and/or IgA) may be good for diagnosing
infection, but they are not good for determining if antibiotics have successfully
eradicated the bacterium.
The urea breath test (UBT) is a safe, easy, and accurate test for the
presence of H. pylori in the stomach. The breath test relies on the ability of H.
pylori to break down the naturally occurring chemical, urea, into carbon
dioxide, which is absorbed from the stomach and eliminated from the body in
the breath. Ten to 20 minutes after swallowing a capsule containing urea
labeled with either a minute amount of radioactive carbon or heavy but not
radioactive carbon, a breath sample is collected and analyzed for labeled
carbon dioxide. The presence of labeled carbon dioxide in the breath (a
positive test) means that there is active infection. The test becomes negative
(there is no radioactive carbon dioxide in the breath) shortly after eradication
of the bacterium from the stomach with antibiotics. Individuals who are
concerned about even minute amounts of radioactivity can be tested with urea
labeled with heavy, nonradioactive carbon.

Endoscopy is an accurate test for diagnosing H. pylori as well as the

inflammation and ulcers that it causes. For endoscopy, the doctor inserts a
flexible viewing tube (endoscope) through the mouth, down the esophagus,
and into the stomach and duodenum. During endoscopy, small tissue samples
(biopsies) from the stomach lining can be removed. A biopsy specimen is
placed on a special slide containing urea (for example, CLO test slides). If the
urea is broken down by H. pylori in the biopsy, there is a change in color
around the biopsy on the slide. This means that there is an infection with H.
pylori in the stomach. Endoscopy also allows determination of the severity of
gastritis with biopsies as well as the presence of ulcers, MALT lymphoma,
and cancer.

Biopsies also may be cultured in the bacteriology laboratory for the presence

of H. pylori; however, this is done infrequently since other simpler tests are
available.
Stool sample: A recently-developed test for H. pylori is a test in which the
presence of the bacterium can be diagnosed from a sample of stool. The test
uses an antibody to H. pylori to determine if H. pylori antigen is present in the
stool. If it is, it means that H. pylori is infecting the stomach. Like the urea
breath test, in addition to diagnosing infection with H. pylori, the stool test can
be used to determine if eradication has been effective soon after treatment.

In 2012, the FDA gave approval for the urea breath test to be done in children
aged 3 years to 17 years old.

QUESTION

Bowel regularity means a bowel movement every day.See

Answer
 Source: Getty Images

What treatment medications cure H.

pylori infections?
Chronic infection with H. pylori weakens the natural defenses of the lining of
the stomach to the ulcerating action of acid. Medications that neutralize
stomach acid (antacids), and medications that decrease the secretion of acid
in the stomach (H2-blockers and proton pump inhibitors or PPIs) have been
used effectively for many years to treat ulcers.

H2-blockers include

 ranitidine (Zantac),
 famotidine (Pepcid),
 cimetidine (Tagamet), and
 nizatidine (Axid).
PPIs include

 omeprazole (Prilosec),
 lansoprazole (Prevacid),
 rabeprazole (Aciphex),
 pantoprazole (Protonix), and
 esomeprazole (Nexium).

Treating H. pylori with acid-reducing antacids, H2-blockers, and PPIs,

however, does not eradicate H. pylori from the stomach, and ulcers frequently
return promptly after these medications are discontinued. Hence, antacids,
H2-blockers, or PPIs have to be taken daily for many years to prevent the
return of the ulcers and the complications of ulcers such as bleeding,
perforation, and obstruction of the stomach. Even such long-term treatments
can fail.

Eradication of H. pylori, however, usually prevents the return of ulcers and
ulcer complications even after appropriate medications such as PPIs are
stopped. Eradication of H. pylori also is important in the treatment of the rare
condition known as MALT lymphoma of the stomach.

Treatment of H. pylori to prevent stomach cancer is controversial and

discussed in this article.

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Is H. pylori infection easy to cure?

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H. pylori is difficult to eradicate (cure) from the stomach because it is capable

of developing resistance to commonly used antibiotics (antibiotic-resistant H.
pylori). Therefore, two or more antibiotics usually are given together with a
PPI and/or bismuth containing compounds to eradicate the bacterium.
(Bismuth and PPIs have anti-H. pylori effects.) Examples of combinations of
medications that are effective are:

 a PPI, amoxicillin (Amoxil), and clarithromycin (Biaxin)
 a PPI, metronidazole (Flagyl), tetracycline, and bismuth subsalicylate
(Pepto-Bismol, Bismuth)

These combinations of medications can be expected to cure 70% to 90% of

infections. However, studies have shown that resistance of H. pylori (failure of
antibiotics to eradicate the bacterium) to clarithromycin is common among
patients who have prior exposure to clarithromycin or other chemically similar
macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin).

Similarly, H. pylori resistance to metronidazole is common among patients

who have had prior exposure to metronidazole. In these patients, doctors
have to find other combinations of antibiotics to treat the H. pylori. Antibiotic
resistance is another reason why antibiotics should be used carefully and
judiciously for the right reasons, and indiscriminate use of antibiotics for
improper reasons should be discouraged.

First-line regimens for Helicobacter pylori eradication or cure are taken from

the guidelines developed by the American College of Gastroenterology as
follows:

1. Standard dose of a *PPI (proton pump inhibitor) *b.i.d. (esomeprazole is

*q.d.),clarithromycin 500 mg b.i.d., amoxicillin 1,000 mg b.i.d. for 10-14
days
2. Standard dose PPI b.i.d., clarithromycin 500 mg b.i.d. metronidazole
500 mg b.i.d. for 10-14 days
3. Bismuth subsalicylate 525 mg p.o. q.i.d. metronidazole 250 mg * p.o.
*q.i.d., tetracycline 500 mg p.o. q.i.d., ranitidine 150 mg p.o. b.i.d. or
standard dose PPI q.d. to b.i.d. for 10-14 days
4. PPI + amoxicillin 1 g b.i.d., for 5 days, followed by PPI, clarithromycin
500 mg, tinidazole 500 mg b.i.d. for 5 days (used mainly in other
countries)

*PPI = proton pump inhibitor; pcn = penicillin; p.o. = orally; q.d. = daily; b.i.d.
= twice daily; t.i.d. = three times daily; q.i.d. = four times daily.
A recent investigation reported that triple therapy of
either levofloxacin (Levaquin) or rifabutin in combination with amoxicillin
and esomeprazole yielded cure rates of 90% and 88.6%. The treatments
lasted 10 to 12 days respectively (10 days of levofloxacin 20=50 mg b.i.d. or
rifabutin 150 mg q.d. for 12 days. Amoxicillin dose was 1 gm, esomeprazole
was 40 mg, both b.i.d.).

Some doctors may want to confirm eradication of H. pylori after treatment with
a urea breath test or a stool antigen test, particularly if there have been
serious complications of the infection such as perforation or bleeding in the
stomach or duodenum. Endoscopic biopsies to determine eradication of the
bacterium are not necessary, and blood tests are not good for determining
eradication since it takes many months or years for the antibodies to H.
pylori to decrease. The best tests for determining eradication are the breath
and stool tests discussed previously. Patients who fail to eradicate H.
pylori with treatment are retreated, often with a different combination of
medications. Also, a meta-analysis study of patients started on low-dose
aspirin showed less than 20% were tested for H. pylori; this is concerning
because low-dose aspirin roughly doubles the risk factors for getting an upper
GI bleed in individuals with H. pylori infection.

What natural treatments cure H.
pylori infection?
There are many claims about natural treatment and cures for H.
pylori infection. None of these have been scientifically proven to cure H.
pylori infection, and include

 mastic gum,
  broccoli,
 matuka tea,
 manuka honey,
 coconut oil, and
 many others.

Discuss all natural herbs and supplements with your doctor before taking

them.

Nutritionists and health care professionals suggest avoiding spicy foods,

coffee, carbonated drinks, and pickled foods as these may increase the
symptoms associated with the infection.

Source: iStock

Does everyone have H.

pylori bacteria in their stomach?
There is a general consensus among doctors that individuals should be
treated if they are infected with H. pylori and have ulcers. The goal of
treatment is to eradicate the bacterium, heal ulcers if they are present, and
prevent the ulcers' return. Patients with MALT lymphoma of the stomach also
should be treated. MALT lymphoma is rare, but the tumor often quickly
regresses upon successful eradication of H. pylori.

There currently is no formal recommendation to treat patients infected with H.

pylori without ulcers or MALT lymphoma. Since antibiotic combinations can
have side effects, and stomach cancers are infrequent in the United States,
some health care professionals feel that the risks of treatment to eradicate H.
pylori in patients without symptoms or ulcers may not justify the unproven
benefits of treatment for the purpose of preventing stomach cancer. On the
other hand, H. pylori infection is known to cause atrophic gastritis (chronic
inflammation of the stomach leading to atrophy of the inner lining of the
stomach). Some doctors believe that atrophic gastritis can lead to cell
changes (intestinal metaplasia) that can be precursors to stomach cancer.
Studies have also shown that eradication of H. pylori may reverse atrophic
gastritis. Thus, some doctors are recommending treatment of ulcer- and
symptom-free patients infected with H. pylori.

Many physicians believe that dyspepsia (non-ulcer symptoms associated

with meals) may be associated with infection with H. pylori. Although it is not
clear if H. pylori causes the dyspepsia, many doctors will test patients with
dyspepsia for infection with H. pylori and treat them if infection is present.

Scientists studying the genetics of H. pylori have found

different strains (types) of the bacterium. Some strains of H. pylori appear to
be more prone to cause ulcers and stomach cancer. Meta-analysis of H.
 pylori eradication treatment seems to reduce gastric cancer risk. Further
research in this area may help doctors to intelligently select those patients
who need treatment. Vaccination against H. pylori is unlikely to be available in
the near future.

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Can you prevent H.
pylori infections?
With at least 50% of the world population having detectable H. pylori in their
stomachs, it seems likely that with no vaccine available, it will be very difficult
or impossible for people to have no exposure to these bacteria. The chance of
the organisms causing symptomatic infection is low, but certainly not absent.
Currently, suggestions have been made to prevent ulcers, but the
effectiveness of these recommendations are unknown. The following is a list
of recommendations to help prevent ulcers:

1. Reduce or stop the intake of alcohol.

2. Stop smoking.
3. For pain control, use acetaminophen (Tylenol and others) instead of
aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
4. Avoid caffeine in coffee and many "power" drinks.
5. Check for GI symptoms and treat immediately during or
after radiation therapy.
6. Identify and reduce or avoid stress.
7. Wash hands with uncontaminated water to avoid contracting the
bacterium.
8. If infected with H. pylori, antimicrobial treatment may prevent ulcer
formation and extension of disease.

Currently, there is no commercially available vaccine to prevent either the

infection or colonization of the stomach by H pylori. However, research is
ongoing, and the NIH is funding vaccine studies in conjunction with vaccine
makers (For example, Helicovax to prevent H. pylori colonization of human GI
tracts by EpiVax, Inc.). Moreover, some nutritionists suggest that a diet high
 in fruits and vegetables, and low in sugar may help reduce or stop H.
pylori infection. In many individuals, the immune response to infection is
ineffective and leads to life-long infection.

What is the prognosis for H.

pylori infections? What if it is not
treated?
Many infections are mild and produce few, if any, symptoms. The prognosis of
these infections is excellent. Patients with more serious symptoms who are
treated appropriately usually have a good prognosis although up to 20% may
have reoccurrence of the infection. Those with ulcers who have effective
eradication of their infection heal their ulcers well (with usually minor scarring
in the tissue).

Untreated and severe infections have a more guarded prognosis because

extensive damage can occur with bleeding, scarring, anemia,
and hypotension (low blood pressure) occurring. Some patients with these
symptoms will die if not treated quickly. About 1% of people with the infection
go on to develop gastric cancer. Researchers have suggested that it may be
possible to use special inhibitors that will block the bacteria from adhering to
the lining of the stomach gastric tissue.

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Medically Reviewed on 1/24/2020

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

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color can range from foods a person eats, medication, diseases or conditions, pregnancy, cancer, or
tumors. Stool can also have texture changes such as greasy or floating stools. Stool that has a
uncharacteristically foul odor may be caused by infections such as giardiasis or medical conditions.

Tummy Trouble Quiz

Tummy Troubles? Get a better idea of what's causing the nausea, vomiting, bloating, gas, constipation,
diarrhea, pain, and other gastrointestinal discomforts and problems. Take the Tummy Troubles Quiz!


 Urea Breath Test Procedure

The urea breath test (UBT) is a test used to diagnose the presence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)
bacteria in the stomach. H. pylori causes, ulcers, inflammation, and atrophy of the stomach. The urea
breath test is fairly simple, with few side effects, risks, or complications.

What Is the Purpose of a Vagotomy?

Vagotomy is a procedure to surgically remove a part or the whole of the portion of the vagus nerve that
controls the digestive system. When the stomach produces excessive acid, it can corrode the stomach
lining and cause peptic ulcers. The purpose of a vagotomy is to disable the stomach’s acid producing
capacity. PPIs and similar acid-reducing medications have made vagotomy surgery rarer.

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Bifidobacteria
 What other names is Bifidobacteria known by?
 What is Bifidobacteria?
 How does Bifidobacteria work?
 Are there safety concerns?
 Are there any interactions with medications?
 Dosing considerations for Bifidobacteria.

What other names is Bifidobacteria

known by?
B. Bifidum, B. Breve, B. Infantis, B. lactis, B. Longum, Bifido, Bifido Bacterium
Longum, Bifidobacterias, Bifidobactérie, Bifidobactéries, Bifidobacterium,
Bifidobacterium adolescentis; Bifidobacterium animalis, Bifidobacterium
bifidum; Bifidobacterium breve; Bifidobacterium infantis; Bifidobacterium
lactis; Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidum, Bifidus, Bifidus Brevis, Bifidus
Infantis, Bifidus Longum, Bifidobacteria Bifidus, Lactobacillus Bifidus, L.
Bifidus, Probiotic, Probiotique.

What is Bifidobacteria?
Bifidobacteria are a group of bacteria that normally live in the intestines. They
can be grown outside the body and then taken by mouth as medicine.

Bifidobacteria are used for many conditions affecting the intestines, including
preventing diarrhea in infants and children; as well as traveler's diarrhea in
adults. Some people take bifidobacteria to restore “good bacteria” in the gut
that have been killed or removed by diarrhea, radiation, chemotherapy,
antibiotics, or other causes. Bifidobacteria are also used to treat a bowel
disease called ulcerative colitis, as well as a condition called pouchitis,
which sometimes develops after surgery for ulcerative colitis. Some people
use Bifidobacteria to prevent a particular bowel infection called necrotizing
enterocolitis in newborns.

Other uses for Bifidobacteria include treating a skin condition in infants called
atopic eczema, yeast infections (candidiasis), cold, flu, reducing flu-like
symptoms in children attending day-care centers, breast
pain (mastitis), hepatitis, lactose intolerance, mumps, Lyme disease,
and cancer. These bacteria are also used to boost the immune system and
lower cholesterol.
 SLIDESHOW

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Causes, Symptoms,

TreatmentSee Slideshow
Possibly Effective for...
 Constipation. Some early research shows that taking a specific
Bifidobacterium breve product (Yakult Co., Japan) can
reduce constipation in children 3-16 years of age. Also, most research
shows that mixing Bifidobacterium longum BB536 with milk or yogurt
and taking the mixture daily for 2 weeks increases the number of bowel
movements in adults prone to constipation. However, taking this same
strain of Bifidobacterium for 16 weeks does not seem to reduce
constipation in elderly adults receiving nutrition with a feeding tube.
 Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Taking bifidobacteria along
with other probiotic bacteria strains seems to reduce side effects of
treatment for the ulcer-causing bacterium Helicobacter pylori.
 Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Taking Bifidobacterium infantis 35624
(Align or Bifantis, Proctor & Gamble) for 8 weeks seems to
reduce symptoms of IBS. However, it does not seem to increase bowel
movements. Taking a specific product containing species of
Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Streptococcus (VSL#3) seems to
decrease bloating in people with IBS.
 A type of infection in the lining of the intestine caused by bacteria
(necrotizing enterocolitis; NEC). Taking Bifidobacterium infantis along
with another bacterium called Lactobacillus acidophilus seems to
help prevent NEC in critically ill infants.
 A complication after surgery for ulcerative colitis called pouchitis.
Taking a specific product containing a combination of Bifidobacterium,
Lactobacillus, and Streptococcus (VSL#3) by mouth seems to help
prevent pouchitis after surgery for ulcerative colitis.
 Lung infections. Some research suggests that taking a specific
combination product containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and
Bifidobacterium (HOWARU Protect) with milk helps reduce symptoms
of fever, cough, runny nose, and decreases the amount of antibiotics
needed in children. It may also shorten how long children have
symptoms and decrease the number of days missed from daycare.
Also, eating food containing Bifidobacterium longum BB536 for 3 weeks
before getting a flu shot and for 14 weeks thereafter seems to help
prevent the flu in elderly people.
  Diarrhea in infants (rotaviral diarrhea). Taking Bifidobacterium
bifidum seems to help prevent rotaviral diarrhea when used with other
bacteria such as Streptococcus thermophiles or Bifidobacterium Bb12.
 Traveler's diarrhea. Taking Bifidobacterium seems to help
prevent traveler's diarrhea when used with other bacteria such as
Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, or Streptococcus
thermophilus.
 Ulcerative colitis. Research suggests that taking specific products
containing combinations of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and
Streptococcus (VSL#3) or Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium
bifidum, and Lactobacillus acidophilus (Yakult Co., Japan) helps control
symptoms and prevent their recurrence in people with ulcerative colitis.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate

Effectiveness for...
 Diarrhea caused by antibiotics. So far, some studies have found
Bifidobacterium effective for this use, but other study results have not
agreed.
 Scaly, itchy skin (eczema). Some research shows that giving
Bifidobacterium lactis by mouth reduces eczema severity in infants.
However, giving Bifidobacterium along with Lactobacillus does not seem
to prevent eczema in infants with a family history of the condition.
 Infections related to chemotherapy treatment. Early research
suggests that taking specific products containing Bifidobacterium
longum and Lactobacillus acidophilus (Morinaga Bifidus) or
Bifidobacterium infantis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Enterococcus
 faecalis (Levenin) does not prevent Candida infection in people
with leukemia who are undergoing chemotherapy.
 High cholesterol. Early research suggests that taking milk containing
Lactobacillus acidophilus 145 and Bifidobacterium longum BB536
reduces “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in people
with high cholesterol. However, it also seems to reduce “good” high-
density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.
 Infant development. Giving formula containing Bifidobacterium longum
BL999 plus prebiotics, or giving Bifidobacterium longum BB536 plus
Lactobacillus rhamnosus or Lactobacillus paracasei, does not seem to
improve growth in infants. However, drinking milk containing
Bifidobacterium longum BB536, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, prebiotics,
and fatty acids seems to increase weight gain in toddlers.
 Japanese cedar pollen allergy. Some research suggests that taking
Bifidobacterium longum BB536 during pollen season might reduce nose
and eye symptoms of Japanese cedar pollen allergy. However, some
conflicting evidence exists. Also, this strain of bifidobacteria does not
seem to reduce sneezing or throat symptoms associated with
Japanese cedar pollen allergy.
 Preventing infections after exposure to radiation. Early research
suggests that antibiotic-resistant Bifidobacterium longum can help
improve short-term survival in the treatment of radiation sickness. In
combination with antibiotics, bifidobacteria appear to help prevent
dangerous bacteria from growing and causing a serious infection.
 Common cold and flu (influenza).
 Liver problems.
 Lactose intolerance.
 Breast pain, possibly due to infection (mastitis).
  Mumps.
 Cancer.
 Stomach problems.
 Replacing beneficial bacteria removed by diarrhea.
 Lyme disease.
 Aging.
 Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate bifidobacteria for these uses.

QUESTION

Ulcerative colitis affects the colon. The colon is also

referred to as the...See Answer
How does Bifidobacteria work?
Bifidobacteria belong to a group of bacteria called lactic acid bacteria. Lactic
acid bacteria are found in fermented foods like yogurt and cheese.
Bifidobacteria are used in treatment as so-called “probiotics,” the opposite of
antibiotics. They are considered "friendly" bacteria and are taken to grow and
multiply in areas of the body where they normally would occur. The human
body counts on its normal bacteria to perform several jobs, including breaking
down foods, helping the body take in nutrients, and preventing the take-over
of “bad” bacteria. Probiotics such as bifidobacteria are typically used in cases
when a disease occurs or might occur due to a kill-off of normal bacteria. For
example, treatment with antibiotics can destroy disease-causing bacteria, but
also normal bacteria in the GI (gastrointestinal) and urinary tracts. The theory
is that taking Bifidobacterium probiotics during antibiotic treatment can prevent
or minimize the death of good bacteria and the take-over by bad bacteria.

Are there safety concerns?

Bifidobacteria are LIKELY SAFE for adults and children when taken by mouth
appropriately. In some people, treatment with bifidobacteria might upset the
stomach and intestine, causing bloating and gas.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information
about the safety of taking bifidobacteria if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Weakened immune system: There is some concern that “probiotics” might

grow too well in people with a weak immune system and cause infections.
Although this has not occurred specifically with bifidobacteria, there have
been rare cases involving other probiotic species such as lactobacillus. If you
have a weakened immune system (e.g., you have HIV/AIDS or are
undergoing cancer treatment), check with your healthcare provider before
using bifidobacteria.
Are there any interactions with
medications?
Antibiotic drugsInteraction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this
combination.Talk with your health provider.

Antibiotics are used to reduce harmful bacteria in the body. Antibiotics can
also reduce friendly bacteria in the body. Bifidobacteria are a type of friendly
bacteria. Taking antibiotics along with bifidobacteria might reduce the
effectiveness of bifidobacteria. To avoid this interaction, take bifidobacteria
products at least two hours before or after antibiotics.

Dosing considerations for

Bifidobacteria.
The strength of bifidobacteria preparations is usually quantified by the number
of living organisms per dose. The following doses have been studied in
scientific research:

BY MOUTH:

 For irritable bowel syndrome: 1 billion cells of Bifidobacterium infantis

daily in a malted milk drink.
 For lung infections in children: 120 mL of milk twice daily containing 5
billion colony forming units each of Lactobacillus acidophilus and
Bifidobacterium contained in a specific product (HOWARU Protect,
Danisco).
 For chronic pouchitis: a dose of 600 billion bacteria consisting of
species of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Streptococcus (VSL#3)
given once daily.
 For Helicobacter pylori treatment: a dose of 5 billion bacteria consisting
of Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacillus acidophilus once daily.
 For constipation: 1-100 billion cells of a specific Bifidobacterium breve
powder (Yakult Co., Japan) once daily.
 For ulcerative colitis:
o 100 mL per day of a specific fermented milk product (Yakult Co.,
Japan) containing at least 10 billion live Bifidobacterium breve,
Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Lactobacillus acidophilus strains per
dose has been used.
o 3 grams of a specific combination probiotic containing living
freeze-dried bacteria species including lactobacillus,
bifidobacteria, and streptococcus (VSL#3) twice daily has also
been used.