Harnessing the human microbiome: Probiotic and prebiotic interventions to reduce hospital-acquired infections and enhance immunity

Abstract

 Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) represent a significant burden on healthcare systems, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Recent advancements in microbiome research have highlighted the potential of probiotic and prebiotic interventions to mitigate HAIs and bolster immunity. This review explores the role of the human microbiome in health and disease, focusing on the promising strategies of utilizing probiotics and prebiotics to reduce HAIs. Probiotics, comprising live beneficial bacteria, can restore and maintain a balanced gut microbiota, potentially outcompeting pathogenic organisms and enhancing host immune responses. Prebiotics, however, are non-digestible food ingredients that selectively stimulate the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria in the gut. The synergistic effects of probiotics and prebiotics, known as symbiotic, offer an even greater potential for clinical application. Numerous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of specific probiotic strains, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, in preventing infections and modulating immune functions. Furthermore, prebiotics like fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) have shown to enhance the growth of probiotic bacteria, thus providing a twofold protective mechanism. The integration of these interventions into clinical practice could revolutionize the prevention and management of HAIs, reducing the reliance on antibiotics and mitigating the risk of antimicrobial resistance. However, challenges such as strain-specific effects, dosage optimization, and individual variability need to be addressed through rigorous clinical trials. This review underscores the need for further research and clinical validation to harness the full potential of the human microbiome in combating HAIs and enhancing patient outcomes through probiotic and prebiotic interventions. Keywords:  Human Microbiome, HAIs, Immunity.