Prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics in human health, clinical applications – an update

Abstract

Probiotics have become well-known and widely used, especially as supplements or add-on therapy, in the prevention and management of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. However, their mechanisms, strain-specific effects and appropriate clinical use remain poorly understood by both pharmacists and patients. Furthermore, recent reports of an Alkalihalobacillus clausii outbreak emphasised the importance of appropriate clinical use of probiotics, particularly in severely immunocompromised patients. This article provides an overview of prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics, including their mechanisms of action, clinical applications and available products on the local market.