Objective: Critical illness results in changes to the microbiology of the gastrointestinal tract,
leading to a loss of commensal flora and an overgrowth of potentially pathogenic bacteria.
Administering certain strains of live bacteria (probiotics) to critically ill patients may restore
balance to the microbiota and have positive effects on immune function and gastrointestinal
structure and function. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the effect of
probiotics in critically ill patients on clinical outcomes. Design: Systematic review …