Efficacy of Lactobacillus reuteri in clinical practice

Abstract

This paper addresses the primary aspects of developing gut microbiota and the immune system and the role of gut microbiocenosis in this process. Optimal gut colonization and adequate immune response are critical factors in developing tolerance to commensal microbes and anti-infectious protection. The authors highlight various prenatal, neonatal, and postnatal factors which prevent normal colonization of gastrointestinal mucosa. One of the methods to restore the qualitative and quantitative composition of gut microbiota are probiotics. Probiotics demonstrating antagonistic activity for pathogens compete with these pathogens for the adhesion to mucosal epithelium and nutrients, thereby inhibiting the production of bacterial toxins, modulating the functions of the immune system, improving gut microbiocenosis, maintaining the integrity of the gastrointestinal mucosal barrier, and controlling gut inflammation. Probiotics are a heterogeneous group of living bacteria with species- and strain-specific properties. For example, Lactobacillus reuteri is an effective probiotic commonly prescribed in premature babies, children with acute gastroenteritis, and infantile colic. KEYWORDS: gut microbiota, microbiocenosis, premature, C-section, probiotics, bacteria, immune system, infantile colic, Lactobacillus reuteri. FOR CITATION: Komarova O.N. Efficacy of Lactobacillus reuteri in clinical practice. Russian Journal of Woman and Child Health. 2021;4(3):277–283 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2618-8430-2021-4-3-277-283.