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Research Focus Areas:
LacPro focuses its research efforts on Disorders of the Gastrointestinal Tract and Immunology. There is a clear clinical need in each of these research areas, and the underlying biology is compelling. Disorders of the GI tract is the major focus of LacPro’s research, with our scientists working to characterize probiotics that may be useful in fighting various GI ailments as well as expanding our expertise in the mechanism of actions of these probiotics. Gastrointestinal diseases affect almost half the U.S. population and they are inadequately addressed by current treatments.
Disorders of the GI Tract:
Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI)
- CDI is increasing in incidence and severity and may be becoming more difficult to treat. Recent reports of a more virulent and possibly more resistant strain of Clostridium difficile’s causing epidemics in both the United States and Canada have heightened clinicians’ awareness of CDAD, emphasizing the importance of early recognition and appropriate treatment.
- Clostridium difficile is a potentially deadly bacterial infection and the most common cause of AAD, resulting in severe diarrhea and inflammation. It is estimated that there are between 250,000 – 500,000 cases of CDAD in the U.S. each year; the results are longer hospital stays and an estimated $1.1 billion in additional costs.
- The most difficult problem in the management of CDAD is relapse, reported to occur in 15% to 20% of cases, though it may be an increasing problem. Recent Canadian data indicate that there was an increase in post-flagyl recurrences as well as treatment failures. Between 1991 and 2002, the rate of recurrence was 15-25% but in 2003-2004 the rate increased dramatically to 47%. With epidemic strains, effective treatment of recurrent CDAD will become more important than ever.
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD)
- AAD can occur in 13-29% of patients during endemic periods, though the frequency can be much higher (26-60%) during hospital outbreaks. AAD can occur in patients treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics several days or weeks after antibiotics are stopped. There are 150 million prescriptions for antibiotics in the U.S. annually. Hospitals experience 500,000 to 1 million cases each year. Nursing homes experience 1.5 million cases each year, resulting in over 100,000 deaths. Costs to treat AAD are estimated to exceed $4.5 billion each year.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term encompassing a number of chronic inflammatory disorders leading to damage of the gastrointestinal tract. The most common of these disorders are Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's disease. Previous medical treatment has focused on the nonspecific suppression of the inflammatory process. However, recent advances in basic science research have revealed new insights into the role of specific immune cells and their mediators in intestinal inflammation.
- Current treatments address symptoms but have debilitating side affects and do not provide a cure.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of two of the most prevalent conditions seen in primary care practices and is among the most common indications for a referral to a gastroenterologist in the United States. IBS is a common disorder of the intestines, and may be described as a functional bowel disease in which altered motility, abnormal visceral sensation, and psychosocial factors all interact to produce characteristic symptoms.
- IBS is a chronic disorder affecting up to 40 million Americans and it is the second leading cause of workplace absenteeism after the common cold. Over-the-counter products provide limited relief.
Acute Diarrheal Illness
- In the developing world, children may have 10 or more episodes of severe diarrhea in a year. The loss of water and electrolytes causes dehydration, which can bring on malnutrition, retard growth, and delay mental development. Between 2 million and 3 million children in the developing world die each year due to acute diarrheal illnesses.
Immunology
- Immunology is increasingly becoming an important focus for LacPro researchers. The range of diseases involving the immune and inflammatory cells is immense, and there is a pressing need for safer and more effective therapies.
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