A Pain in the Neck: Probiotics for Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Anna Conen
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2009)

Letters15 December 2009A Pain in the Neck: Probiotics for Ulcerative ColitisAnna Conen, MD, Stefan Zimmerer, MD, Andrej Trampuz, MD, Reno Frei, MD, Manuel Battegay, MD, and Luigia Elzi, MD, MScAnna Conen, MDFrom University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland., Stefan Zimmerer, MDFrom University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland., Andrej Trampuz, MDFrom University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland., Reno Frei, MDFrom University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland., Manuel Battegay, MDFrom University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland., and Luigia Elzi, MD, MScFrom University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland.Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-151-12-200912150-00020 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Background: The use of probiotics in medical practice deserves closer attention and careful individual evaluation because probiotics may cause life-threatening infections, especially in immunocompromised persons.Objective: To describe a case of abscesses caused by a probiotic.Case Report: A 38-year-old woman presented in May 2008 with a 4-week history of progressive neck pain radiating to the head. The patient had had severe ulcerative colitis since 2002, with increasing activity during the preceding 5 months. Past treatments included high-dose steroids (recently prednisone, 40 mg/d), tumor necrosis factor-α blockers, azathioprine, cyclosporine, and granulocyte adsorptive apheresis. Because of persistent bloody diarrhea and abdominal ...References1. Hickson M, D'Souza AL, Muthu N, Rogers TR, Want S, Rajkumar C, et al. Use of probiotic Lactobacillus preparation to prevent diarrhoea associated with antibiotics: randomised double blind placebo controlled trial. BMJ. 2007;335:80. [PMID: 17604300] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Goldin BR, Gorbach SL. Clinical indications for probiotics: an overview. Clin Infect Dis. 2008;46 Suppl 2:S96-100; discussion S144-51. [PMID: 18181732] Google Scholar3. Floch MH, Walker WA, Guandalini S, Hibberd P, Gorbach S, Surawicz C, et al. Recommendations for probiotic use—2008. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2008;42 Suppl 2 S104-8. [PMID: 18542033] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Mackay AD, Taylor MB, Kibbler CC, Hamilton-Miller JM. Lactobacillus endocarditis caused by a probiotic organism. Clin Microbiol Infect. 1999;5:290-292. [PMID: 11856270] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Salminen MK, Rautelin H, Tynkkynen S, Poussa T, Saxelin M, Valtonen V, et al. Lactobacillus bacteremia, species identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility of 85 blood isolates. Clin Infect Dis. 2006;42:35-44. [PMID: 16447101] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland.Disclosures: None disclosed. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoCorrection: Probiotics for Ulcerative Colitis Metrics Cited ByReappraisal of probiotics' safety in humanProbiotic Lactobacilli PrecautionsProbiotics in Gastroenterology: How Pro Is the Evidence in Adults?Risk and Safety of ProbioticsInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology in Hematology UnitsA Commentary on the Safety of ProbioticsSpinal epidural abscess: aetiology, predisponent factors and clinical outcomes in a 4-year prospective studyCorrection: Probiotics for Ulcerative Colitis 15 December 2009Volume 151, Issue 12Page: 895-897KeywordsAbscessesAntifungalsDiarrheaEndocarditisInflammatory bowel diseaseMagnetic resonance imagingPatientsProbioticsSpinal cordUlcerative colitis ePublished: 15 December 2009 Issue Published: 15 December 2009 CopyrightCopyright © 2009 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...