Bifidobacterium Infantis M-63 Improves Mental Health in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Developed After a Major Flood Disaster
Bifidobacterium Infantis M-63 Improves Mental Health in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Developed After a Major Flood Disaster
A 3-month study was conducted in flood victims from affected villages in the Tumpat district,
 Kelantan. Participants were given either probiotic, Bifidobacterium infantis M63 (M-63 group)
 or no probiotics (control group) for three months. At baseline and 3-month, participants were
 assessed for thewater, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) practices, abdominal symptoms, breath
 testing for hydrogen and methane to detect the presence of SIBO and also fecal samples for
 gut microbiota profiling.
There is an observed rise in cases of acute gastroenteritis and post-infectious irritable
 bowel syndrome (PI-IBS) during the peak flood period. One major reason is poor sanitation,
 water and hygiene practice by flood victims during the flood because of poor access to clean
 water. The mechanism how poor hygiene causes non-specific abdominal complaints is unknown.
 The investigators speculated that small intestinal overgrowth (SIBO) is the fundamental basis
 for the increase in reported cases of acute gastroenteritis and abdominal complaints among
 flood victims. The investigators further speculated that administration of antibiotics or
 probiotics could reduce the abdominal symptoms after three months.

 Therefore, the intervention study was conducted for three months. Compliance of participants
 was checked by a diary given to participants in the M-63 group to document their daily intake
 of probiotics. This study will for the first time demonstrate the fundamental mechanism
 behind the poor WaSH practices and gastrointestinal disturbances after flood. Also this study
 would support a role for probiotic intervention to reduce abdominal complications when the
 next flood occurs.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Adults aged ≥18 years; flood victims who fulfilled the Rome III criteria for IBS
 developed after flood, able to perform breath-testing, able to provide stool
 specimens, and able to complete three months of prospective intervention.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Adults who took antibiotics or probiotics three months prior to and after flood had
 taken place; previous abdominal surgery and presence of significant medical and
 psychiatric co-morbidities.