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Probiotics prophylaxis in infants with primary vesicoureteral reflux

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Abstract

Background

In this era of increasing bacterial resistance to antimicrobial therapy, probiotics have great potential and yet they are a harmless alternative approach. This study is a prospective randomized uncontrolled trial to investigate the preventive effect of probiotic prophylaxis in infants with primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and frequently recurring urinary tract infection (UTI) during the first follow-up year.

Methods

One hundred and twenty-eight infants (aged 1 week to 12 months) with primary VUR were prospectively randomized into a probiotic (n = 64, Lactobacillus acidophilus, 1.0 × 108 CFU/g) or antibiotic (n = 64, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, 2/10 mg/kg) group.

Results

The incidence of recurrent UTI in the probiotic group was slightly lower than in the antibiotic group without statistical significance (32.8 % [21 out of 64] vs 40.6 % [26/64]) (P = 0.348). Causative organisms of recurrent UTI, resolution rate of VUR, and development of renal scarring were not different between the probiotic and antibiotic prophylaxis groups. The incidences of antibiotic resistance of causative organisms in recurrent UTI were significantly lower in the probiotic group than in the antibiotic group.

Conclusions

Probiotics could be considered a natural alternative regimen for prophylaxis in infants with primary VUR.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea

    Seung Joo Lee

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University School of Medicine, 1, Singil-ro, Yeondeungpo-gu, Seoul, 150-950, South Korea

    Jung Won Lee

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  1. Seung Joo Lee
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  2. Jung Won Lee
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Correspondence to Jung Won Lee.

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Lee, S.J., Lee, J.W. Probiotics prophylaxis in infants with primary vesicoureteral reflux. Pediatr Nephrol 30, 609–613 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-014-2988-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-014-2988-z

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