Probiotics and Clostridium Difficile: A Review of Dysbiosis and the Rehabilitation of Gut Microbiota.

The basis of this paper is to address the use of probiotics as a novel approach to help treat the growing problem of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD), particularly, Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD). Most of the available data regarding probiotics and their usefulness in treating Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) was collected and analyzed. Studies showed the effectiveness of probiotics in treating and also preventing CDI, as well as other gastrointestinal conditions such as Helicobacter pylori infection and inflammatory bowel disease. Probiotics also have, based on limited research, a comparatively minimal adverse effect profile and can aid in faster recovery from disease. Extensive research has been done on two organisms, Lactobacillus and Saccharomyces, but further research into other effective organisms are needed. More clinical trials also need to be conducted to better understand the side effect profile, optimal dosage, drug interactions, and long-term effects on gut microbiota.

Psycho-rheumatic Integration in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: An Insight into Antibodies Causing Neuropsychiatric Changes.

The main purpose of this paper is to bring together all the antibodies and markers related to neurological and psychiatric manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus and also the pharmacology that could help treat these symptoms. Existing research data regarding specific antibodies involved in the disease process and drugs that were being studied was collected and analyzed. After reviewing the studies published by various authors, symptoms were shown to be mainly caused by antibodies against N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibodies, anti-endothelial, anti-ribosomal P, antiphospholipid antibodies, cytokines like interferons and chemokines. The monoclonal antibody rituximab has shown to be beneficial in some of the cases. Based on all the articles reviewed, the antibodies and cytokines showed the most effective evidence in causing the different manifestations of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE), but studies regarding the drugs being effective against all the symptoms are inconclusive as there are very few studies. Further research to support the drug's effectiveness in managing the symptoms is needed. More studies are needed regarding early diagnosis of NPSLE using the antibodies as biomarkers as it could help in preventing these manifestations.