Effects of Zinc Combined with Probiotics on Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea Secondary to Childhood Pneumonia

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of zinc combined with probiotics (Bifico) on antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) secondary to pneumonia. METHODS: A total of 50 patients with AAD secondary to pneumonia were randomly divided into a probiotics group (Bifico) and a combined group (zinc combined with Bifico) and 25 pneumonia patients without AAD as the control group. Serum levels of zinc, diamine oxidase (DAO) activity, D-lactate and intestinal flora [Bifidobacterium, Escherichia coli and Bifidobacterium/E. coli (B/E) ratio] were detected before and after intervention. RESULTS: The results showed that zinc combined with Bifico had significantly higher overall efficiency than Bifico alone for treatment of AAD secondary to pneumonia. Notably, the combined treatment increased the population of Bifidobacterium, while the number of E. coli was reduced, the B/E value was improved and DAO activity and D-lactate levels were markedly reduced. CONCLUSION: Patients with AAD secondary to pneumonia benefit from zinc supplementation of probiotic treatment.