<i>Lactobacillus</i> Sepsis Associated With Probiotic Therapy

TLDR

Probiotic lactobacilli are widely used for health benefits, yet infections caused by them are extremely rare. We report two cases of Lactobacillus bacteremia and sepsis in patients receiving probiotic lactobacilli, with DNA fingerprinting confirming the probiotic strain as the source, marking the first evidence of invasive disease from these agents.

Abstract

Probiotic strains of lactobacilli are increasingly being used in clinical practice because of their many health benefits. Infections associated with probiotic strains of lactobacilli are extremely rare. We describe 2 patients who received probiotic lactobacilli and subsequently developed bacteremia and sepsis attributable to Lactobacillus species. Molecular DNA fingerprinting analysis showed that the Lactobacillus strain isolated from blood samples was indistinguishable from the probiotic strain ingested by the patients. This report indicates, for the first time, that invasive disease can be associated with probiotic lactobacilli. This report should not discourage the appropriate use of Lactobacillus or other probiotic agents but should serve as a reminder that these agents can cause invasive disease in certain populations.