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AJP Rep 2016; 06(01): e25-e29
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1566312
Case Report
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Lactobacillus Sepsis and Probiotic Therapy in Newborns: Two New Cases and Literature Review

Carlo Dani
1   Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, Careggi University Hospital of Florence, Florence, Italy
,
Caterina Coviello C
2   Division of Neonatology, Careggi University Hospital of Florence, Florence, Italy
,
Iuri Corsini I
2   Division of Neonatology, Careggi University Hospital of Florence, Florence, Italy
,
Fabio Arena
3   Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
,
Alberto Antonelli
4   Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
,
Gian Maria Rossolini
5   Clinical Microbiology and Virology Unit, Careggi University Hospital of Florence, Florence, Italy
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

22 June 2015

20 August 2015

Publication Date:
28 October 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Many term and preterm infants are commonly supplemented with probiotics to prevent adverse effects of antibiotic administration and necrotizing enterocolitis and they are believed to be safe. However, the supplementation with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG has been associated with the development of sepsis with a cause–effect relationship in six newborns and children. In this study, we report two further cases and discuss the emerging issue of probiotic supplementation safety in neonates. We conclude that physicians must be aware that supplementation with L. rhamnosus GG can cause sepsis in high-risk patients on rare occasions.

Keywords

lactobacillus - probiotics - infection - sepsis - infant
 

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