Bifidobacterium bifidum MIMBb75 in irritable bowel syndrome: authors’ reply

Abstract

Sirs, We thank Prof. Quigley for his comment1 on our research regarding Bifidobacterium bifidum MIMBb75 in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).2 With regard to instruments used, we are not sure which instruments are seen as ‘somewhat novel’ as we based our questionnaires on the current literature and the European Food Safety Authority guidelines. As pointed out in Prof. Quigley′s letter, our findings show parallels to those demonstrated by Whorwell et al. who used the strain Bifidobacterium infantis 35624.3 However, in contrast to that report, our study population was not restricted to female patients. Furthermore, in comparison to Bifidobactereium longum subsp. infantis and other probiotics, we have been able to show – for the first time – a significant improvement of the major IBS symptoms along with a simultaneous improvement in quality of life. Since IBS patients have a somewhat decreased quality of life, this finding seems to be of special interest. As shown in several reviews on probiotics in IBS, Bifidobacterium strains seem to be superior to Lactobacillus strains. However, we think that the properties of a single strain are strongly strain specific,4 and that the properties of one strain do not predict the properties of another, even very similar strain. We clearly agree on the call for longer-term studies of probiotics in IBS. Declaration of personal interests: None. Declaration of funding interests: This study was funded by Naturwohl Pharma GmbH, München, Germany.