Use of Probiotic Lactobacilli for the Treatment of Lactational Mastitis

Phase 2/3 Evaluation of Three Lactobacilli Strains Isolated From Human Milk for the Treatment of Infectious Mastitis During the Lactation Period

A total of 300 women with lactational infectious mastitis will daily ingest 9 log10 cfu of Lactobacillus salivarius HN6, Lactobacillus reuteri CR20 or Lactobacillus fermentum LC40 for 4 weeks. The three lactobacilli strains were originally isolated from milk of healthy women. On days 0 and 28, milk samples will be collected, and staphylococci/streptococci and lactobacilli will be counted and identified. Evolution of clinical signs will be recorded by midwifes on days 0, 7, 14 and 28.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical diagnosis of mastitis
• Staphylococcal and/or streptococcal count higher than 3000 colony-forming units per ml of milk
• Milk leukocyte count higher 6 log10/mL
• Must be able to provide a milk sample without the aid of a milk pump

Exclusion Criteria:

• Mammary abscesses
• Any kind of parallel disease