Probiotics could be used to protect critically ill patients from developing pneumonia, according to scientists at the University Hospital in Lund, Sweden.
The friendly bacteria was found to be just as effective as antiseptics used to keep pneumonia-causing bacteria away. Being more natural it could pose fewer side effects. The study was reported in the the journal Critical Care. The Swedish scientists also noticed that a probiotic that adheres to mouth lining will work around the clock, unlike antiseptics which wear off after a few hours.
The probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum 299 is normally present in saliva and is also commonly found in fermented products like pickles and sauerkraut.
Source: BBC News, 6 November 2008
Chapter: Probiotics :: 24 November 2008
