Effect of Lactobacillus paracasei on intestinal colonisation of lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and Clostridium difficile in elderly persons

Probiotics have been suggested to improve gastrointestinal health in humans. The present study investigated the effect of a fermented product containing Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei F19 and inulin on the prevalence of lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and Clostridium difficile in the intestinal microflora of elderly participants, seropositive for Helicobacter pylori. Thirty-five participants were included in the study and were randomized into two groups, the treatment group and the placebo group. Fermented milk products were consumed twice daily for 12 weeks. Faecal samples were collected before, during (4 and 12 weeks) and 8 weeks after the administration of the products. There was statistically significant increase in the numbers of L. paracasei F19 and lactobacilli other than F19 in the treatment group (p <0.01, Wilcoxon's signed rank test). In two individuals, L. paracasei was isolated also 8 weeks after the end of the administration period. In the placebo group, no changes occurred. C. difficile was only detected once in one of the participants in the treatment group. (C) 2001 Academic Press.