Efficacy of Lactobacillus GG as a Diarrheal Preventive in Travelers.

Traveler's diarrhea can be a debilitating problem for individuals on international trips. Retrospective and prospective studies have shown the incidence of traveler's diarrhea to range from 15-56%. 1,2A placebo-controlled, double-blinded study in Finnish travelers found that the probiotic Lactobacillus GG decreases the incidence of traveler's diarrhea.3 Lactobacillus GG, initially isolated from healthy humans, is remarkable in its ability to resist acid and bile degradation and to adhere to the intestinal mucosa.4 To assess the efficacy of Lactobacillus GG in preventing diarrhea in American tourists, a study was conducted at the Travel and Immunization Center of the Long Island Jewish Medical Center (LIJMC).