Expression of anti-microbial defense factors in vaginal mucosa following exposure to Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1

Authors

Gregor Reid, The University of Western Ontario
Pirkka Kirjaivanen, Lawson Health Research Institute

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-1-2005

Journal

Canadian Family Physician

Volume

51

Issue

NOV.

First Page

1477

Last Page

1479

Abstract

Question: Recently, several of my pregnant patients have asked me about using probiotics during pregnancy. Is there any evidence that these innocuous bacteria work effectively? Answer: An increasing body of evidence suggests that probiotics are effective for treating bacterial vaginosis and allergic reactions. Most probiotics available in Canada, however, are of dubious quality, and, for many claimed indications, there is no proof of effectiveness yet.