Table 1 Summary of available evidence and clinical effects of selected probiotic strains commonly used for the treatment of acute infectious diarrhea
L. rhamnosus GG | L. reuteri DSM 17938 | Saccharomyces boulardii | Bacillus clausii | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Available Evidence | ||||
Highest level of evidence | Metanalysis | Metanalysis | Metanalysis | Metanalysis |
Number of RCTs in children | 16 | 4 | 22 | 7 |
Investigational setting | ||||
Country Income a | High Upper-middle Lower-middle | High Upper-middle | High Upper-middle Lower -middle | High Lower-middle |
Inpatients/outpatients | Inpatients Outpatients | Inpatients Outpatients | Inpatients Outpatients | Inpatients Outpatients |
Evidence in children living in Italy | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Outcomes | ||||
Duration of diarrhea | ++ | ++ | +++ | + |
Hospital admission | NA | – | NA | NA |
Length of hospitalization | +++ | + | +++ | ++ |
Healing within 48–72 h | + | NA | ++ | NA |
Stool output | – | NA | NA | NA |
Stool frequency | NA | – | + | – |