Brevicillin®: Safeguarding Gut Health During Therapy with Amoxicillin or Amoxicillin/clavulanate
Antibiotics remain a fundamental tool crucial for saving lives. However, their overuse or misuse can adversely affect the gut microbiota, leading to both short-term and long-term consequences.
Brevicillin® is a novel probiotic that features the strain Bifidobacterium breve PRL2020, specifically identified to mitigate the detrimental effects of therapies involving amoxicillin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. The unique intrinsic resistance to these antibiotics of Bifidobacterium breve PRL2020 ensures a completely safe profile.
Overuse and Misuse of Antibiotics
Antibiotics are celebrated as one of the greatest scientific achievements of the 20th century that revolutionized healthcare and saved numerous lives. While their key role is still undoubted it is impossible to ignore that their widespread usage poses some concerns.
Scientific studies confirm that antibiotic therapy significantly affects gut microbiota, reducing biodiversity and altering bacterial composition and this was found to lead to both short-term and long-term consequences.
One of the most common and immediate consequences of antibiotic use is antibiotic-induced diarrhea, occurring in about 30% of cases. This undesirable effect is primarily caused by the proliferation of Clostridium difficile, which takes advantage of the antibiotic-induced void left by beneficial bacteria, such as bifidobacteria, that succumb to the antibiotic’s destructive power.
Beyond short-term effects, antibiotic resistance is a globally recognized health issue, posing a serious threat to public health. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics contribute to the development of resistant strains of bacteria, making infections more challenging to treat and increasing the risk of spread.
Moreover, antibiotic use, especially in early infancy, can influence the immune system’s proper development, potentially predisposing individuals to allergies, autoimmune disorders, and metabolic issues. Recent studies even suggest a link between antibiotic-driven dysbiosis and diminished vaccine immune responses.
Brevicillin® to Address Antibiotic-Related Concerns
When it comes to limiting antibiotic-related concerns, a probiotic intervention could be helpful by preserving alpha-biodiversity to some extent and avoiding the negative impact of antibiotic therapy on the microbiota. However, it is essential to consider that probiotics are generally susceptible to antibiotics; therefore, it usually makes no sense to take probiotics during antibiotic therapy because they would not survive or be able to colonize the gut, thus not exerting any beneficial effect.
From a recent study, it has emerged that the impact of amoxicillin therapy and its combination with clavulanic acid (widely prescribed antibiotic treatments) is particularly dramatic on the population of intestinal Bifidobacteria. This damage is especially significant for infants, whose bifidobacterial component plays a fundamental role in intestinal balance and long-term health development. This impairment can persist for at least 60 days after a 6-day antibiotic cycle.
To address this issue, researchers sought a probiotic solution that could resist amoxicillin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. Bifidobacterium breve PRL2020, found in Brevicillin®, emerged as a promising candidate. This strain exhibits remarkable intrinsic resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, making it an ideal companion during antibiotic therapy.
Initiating Brevicillin® from day one of therapy makes it possible to reduce the decline and consequent dysbiosis, mitigating short-term effects and ensuring better therapy compliance.
B. breve PRL2020: A Resilient Strain with a Validated Safety Profile
A comprehensive study titled “Bifidobacterium breve PRL2020: Antibiotic-Resistant Profile and Genomic Detection of Antibiotic Resistance Determinants” verified the safety of using PRL2020. Genomic analysis revealed that PRL2020 lacks plasmids or extrachromosomal elements, confirming the intrinsic and non-transferable nature of its antibiotic resistance. These findings underscore the safety of PRL2020 and its potential use during antibiotic therapy.
As antibiotic usage continues to rise, safeguarding gut health becomes paramount. Brevicillin®, with its resilient strain, Bifidobacterium breve PRL2020, stands as a unique solution to counteract the negative consequences of antibiotic therapy. By incorporating this probiotic into your health regimen, you can support your gut microbiota, enhance immune responses, and ensure a healthier future.
