BioGaia Probiotic chewable tablets effective in decreasing diarrhoea caused by antibiotics

In a new double blind, placebo-controlled clinical study,
supplementation with BioGaia's Probiotic chewable tablets containing
L. reuteri was effective in reducing the incidence of diarrhoea in
hospitalised patients who were treated with antibiotics.

The study, which was performed at the University Hospitals Case
Medical Center, Cleveland Ohio, USA, was presented by Cimperman and
colleagues at the Clinical Nutrition Week 2009 Conference, 1-4
February in New Orleans.

Antibiotic use leads to severe disturbances of the gut bacterial
flora which in turn leads to side-effects such as diarrhoea and
nausea. In the hospital environment, antibiotic-associated diarrhoea
is a significant problem which can lead to prolonged hospital stay
and increased costs.

In this randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled pilot study,
hospitalised patients receiving antibiotics (for pneumonia, abscess,
bronchitis etc.) were also given either BioGaia Probiotic chewable
tablets (2 per day, 13 subjects) or an identical placebo (10
subjects) for 4 weeks. Stool frequency, consistency and
gastrointestinal symptoms were monitored during the 4 weeks and for a
further 2 weeks after therapy was stopped.

The patients given BioGaia Probiotic chewable tablets showed a
significantly lower incidence of diarrhoea compared to those given
placebo (incidence of diarrhoea was 7.7% in the probiotic group
compared to 50% in the placebo group, p=0.02). There were no
differences in the incidence or severity of nausea, vomiting,
abdominal cramping, bloating, gas, constipation or reflux. The
investigators concluded that L. reuteri significantly decreased
antibiotic-associated diarrhoea among hospitalized adults and that L.
reuteri was well-tolerated. The investigators plan to publish the
study in a medical journal during 2009.

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For additional information contact: Peter Rothschild, Managing
Director, telephone: +46 8 - 555 293 00,
Eamonn Connolly, Senior Vice President Research telephone: +46 8 -
555 293 00

BioGaia is a biotechnology company that develops, markets and sells
probiotic products with documented health benefits. The products are
primarily based on the lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus reuteri
(Reuteri), which has probiotic, health-enhancing effects. The class B
share of the Parent Company BioGaia AB is quoted on the Small Cap
list of the Nordic Stock Exchange in Stockholm.
www.biogaia.com