Safety use of probiotics in immunocompromised patients

Abstract

Despite numerous benefits sponsored by probiotics, there are reports in the literature of infections associated to its use and the immu- nocompromise can be a risk factor for its developing. Aiming to verify the safety of ingestion of probiotics by immunocompromised patients, literature review was performed using sources from MEDLINE / PubMed, SciELO, LILACS and Scirus, followed by cross-reference search. It was selected 12 articles with 21 case reports of infections, particularly bacteremia and fungemia by probiotics in patients with some type of immunocompromise. The adverse events, whenever they were present mainly occur in post-transplant patients, after dental manipulation, use of central venous catheter, pre-existing cardiac abnormality and use of broad spectrum an- tibiotics. Thereby, although there is no effective proof of damages to immunocompromised patients, using probiotics may pose risks to such population, so that it is recommended observation and caution in its indications, and careful evaluation of adverse effects.