A strain of probiotic may help treat ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) causes ulcers in the stomach as well as stomach inflammation known as gastritis. Currently, treatment with antibiotics is unsatisfactory, with only 75%-90% success rates.

ish scientists have found that treatment with various strains of Bifidobacterium, a type of probiotic frequently used in fermented dairy products and food supplements, acts against the H. pylori.

The researchers, from the Department of Food Biotechnology, University of València, gathered fecal samples from breast-fed infants and tested different strains of Bifidobacteris against the H. pylori. One strain, Bifidobacterium bifidum CECT 7366, was found to have an inhibition level of almost 95% in certain conditions, and when tested against infection in mice was found to considerably reduce the amount of ulcers. Further testing revealed that the probioitic also partially reduced the damage to the gastric tissue wrought by the H.pylori infection.

The scientists advised that humans must undergo clinical trials before commercialisation of this particular strain of probiotic can be approved.

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