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Controlling diarrhea and constipation in autistic children without using antibiotics


Posted By: News-Medical in Medical Research News

Published: Wednesday, 8-Sep-2004



Scientists checking bacteria which live in the intestines of autistic children

may have found a way to control gut problems, such as diarrhea or

constipation, without using antibiotics, according to work presented today at

the Society for General Microbiology’s 155th Meeting at Trinity College Dublin.

“We have found larger amounts of clostridia bacteria in the gut contents of

autistic children compared with healthy children,” says Helena Parracho of the

School of Food Biosciences at the University of Reading. “These organisms can

contribute to upset gastrointestinal tracts, but also have wider effects, since

some of these bacteria’s own waste products are toxic and can interfere with

systems throughout our bodies.”


The scientists are testing lactic acid bacteria to look for varieties which

could slow down or stop the growth of the toxic clostridia bacteria. Six of ten

Lactobacillus strains and one of four Bifidobacterium strains tested inhibited

the growth of Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium difficile in laboratory

experiments.


“If we can use friendly bacteria as a first weapon to fight the initial gut

symptoms, in a treatment called lactic acid bacteria therapy, we may be able to

reduce bouts of diarrhea and/or constipation in these children,” says Helena

Parracho. “By using dietary rather than pharmaceutical interventions we may be

able to stabilise the metabolism of the children, allowing them to receive more

effective treatment for their gastrointestinal problems.”


 http://www.sgm.ac.uk/


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