Inhibition of Quinolone-and Multi-Drug-Resistant Clostridioides Difficile Strains by Multi Strain Synbiotics—An Option for Diarrhea Management in Nursing Facilities

Diarrhea is a common problem in
nursing homes. A survey among nursing facilities in Poland was used to
characterize diarrhea outbreaks, the burden caused for residents and caregivers
and the employed measures. Survey
results confirmed that diarrhea is a common problem in nursing homes and in
most cases affects groups of residents. The related burden is high or very high
for 27% of residents and 40% of caregivers. In 80% of nursing facilities pro or
synbiotics are part of the measures used to manage diarrhea. Administration of
these kinds of products has been suggested for the management of diarrhea,
especially in cases caused by Clostridioides
(C.) difficile. C. difficile is
one of many potential causes for diarrhea, but is of particular concern for
nursing homes because it is responsible for a large proportion of diarrhea
outbreaks and is often caused by multi-drug resistant strains. In vitro
inhibition of a quinolone-resistant and a multi-drug resistant C. difficile strain was used to evaluate the growth inhibitory effects
of commonly used products containing probiotic microorganisms. Growth of
both strains was best inhibited by multi-strain synbiotic preparations. These findings
suggest that multi-strain synbiotics can be considered as an interventional
option for diarrhea caused by C.
difficile.