Evaluation of Enterococcal Probiotic Usage and Review of Potential Health Benefits, Safety, and Risk of Antibiotic-Resistant Strain Emergence.

2023-08-17
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) 12(8)
- Eric Jeeho Im
- Harry Hyun-Yup Lee
- Minzae Kim
- Myo-Kyoung Kim

PubMed: 37627747
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12081327

Study Design

Type: Review
Methods: This article reviewed ten online health product shopping websites in the US. In addition, this article reviewed studies that demonstrated the probiotic potential of enterococcal consumption and studies evaluating virulence factors and antibiotic resistance.

Enterococci are often used in probiotics but can also cause nosocomial infections. As such, enterococcal consumption may have beneficial health effects, but a thorough evaluation of virulence absence and risk of antibiotic resistance spread is needed at the strain level. This article reviewed ten online health product shopping websites in the US. On these websites, 23 probiotic products using enterococci were found across 12 companies. In addition, this article reviewed studies that demonstrated the probiotic potential of enterococcal consumption (e.g., gastrointestinal and respiratory disease, hyperlipidemia alleviation, as well as infection prevention). To investigate the safety aspects of enterococci, the present work examined studies evaluating virulence factors and antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, this article assessed research that explored these virulent factors, specifically in probiotics containing enterococci, as well as the potential transfer mechanism of their antibiotic resistance. Based on reviewed data, enterococcal probiotic consumption has been proven beneficial for conditions or symptoms of multiple diseases without any apparent adverse effects. However, due to the plasmid- or transposon-mediated gene transfer ability of enterococci, surveillance monitoring and further studies regarding enterococcal consumption are warranted. Future studies that identify enterococcal strains safe to use in probiotics without virulence factors and antibiotic resistance are imperative for evidence-based decisions by health organizations and government agencies.

Research Insights

Enterococcus faecalis TH10→Improved Gastrointestinal Health
studies that demonstrated the probiotic potential of enterococcal consumption (e.g., gastrointestinal and respiratory disease...)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Enterococcus faecalis TH10→Improved Respiratory Tract Health
studies that demonstrated the probiotic potential of enterococcal consumption (e.g., gastrointestinal and respiratory disease, hyperlipidemia alleviation, as well as infection prevention)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Enterococcus faecalis TH10→Reduced Hyperlipidemia Symptoms
studies that demonstrated the probiotic potential of enterococcal consumption (e.g., gastrointestinal and respiratory disease, hyperlipidemia alleviation, as well as infection prevention)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Enterococcus faecium R0026→Improved Gastrointestinal Symptoms
studies that demonstrated the probiotic potential of enterococcal consumption (e.g., gastrointestinal and respiratory disease, hyperlipidemia alleviation, as well as infection prevention)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Enterococcus faecium R0026→Improved Respiratory Tract Health
studies that demonstrated the probiotic potential of enterococcal consumption (e.g., gastrointestinal and respiratory disease, hyperlipidemia alleviation, as well as infection prevention)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Enterococcus faecium R0026→Reduced Hyperlipidemia Symptoms
studies that demonstrated the probiotic potential of enterococcal consumption (e.g., gastrointestinal and respiratory disease, hyperlipidemia alleviation, as well as infection prevention)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Enterococcus faecium R0026→Reduced Risk of Infection
studies that demonstrated the probiotic potential of enterococcal consumption (e.g., gastrointestinal and respiratory disease, hyperlipidemia alleviation, as well as infection prevention)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Lactobacillus casei VK4→Improved Gut Health
enterococcal consumption has been proven beneficial for conditions or symptoms of multiple diseases without any apparent adverse effects.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small