This study was a prospective cohort study evaluating the effect on Clostridium difficile infections following antibiotic administration (CDIAA) of a probiotic added to existing C. difficile infection (CDI) standard preventative measure in 31,832 hospitalized patients receiving antibiotics. Phase I (1580) measured the impact of standard preventative measures alone. In Phase II, 50 to 60 × 109 cfu daily dose of oral Lactobacillus acidophilus CL1285 and L. casei LBC80R probiotic formula was administered to all patients receiving antibiotics. Phase III included the same intervention after a move to a new hospital facility. Phases II and III included 4968 patients. During Phase IV, 25,284 patients were submitted to the same regimen but outcome data were compared to those of similar hospitals in Quebec. At the end of Phase III, CDIAA had decreased from more than 18 cases per 1000 patient admissions in Phase I to less than 5 cases. Reductions of CDI cases (73%) were observed. CDI recurrence rate was reduced by 39%. During the following 6 years, the CDI rate averaged 2.71 cases per 10,000 patient-days compared to 8.50 cases per 10,000 patient-days in equivalent hospitals located in Quebec. Curr Med Res Opin. 2013 August. PMID: 23931498
