The emergence of antimicrobial resistance poses a growing threat to global public health, urging the exploration of novel and sustainable therapeutic strategies. This book chapter reviews the promising role of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in combating microbial infections and promoting human and animal health. Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, provide health benefits to the host. They have gained recognition for their potential to prevent and treat various infections, including gastrointestinal, respiratory, vaginal, and urinary tract infections. This chapter provides an in-depth review of the mechanisms by which probiotics exert their antimicrobial effects, such as competitive exclusion, production of antimicrobial substances, and modulation of host immunity. It also reviews the evidence supporting the use of specific probiotic strains in clinical settings for other disorders. Prebiotics, non-digestible compounds that selectively stimulate the growth and activity of beneficial gut microbiota, are being discussed as an essential component of a holistic approach to infection control. The types of prebiotics and their potential to maintain a balanced microbiome, which is essential for host defense against pathogens, are reviewed. Synbiotics, a synergistic combination of probiotics and prebiotics, are also discussed. This chapter explores how the co-administration of probiotics and prebiotics can enhance survival, colonization, and antimicrobial properties, offering a promising avenue for clinical intervention. In addition, the chapter addresses the modulation of host immunity by probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics, shedding light on their immunomodulatory potential in the prevention and treatment of infections. The safety and regulatory aspects of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics are also discussed, providing a comprehensive perspective of what can be their potential use in clinical and over-the-counter settings. In conclusion, this chapter highlights the substantial progress that has been made in understanding the antimicrobial properties of probiotics highlighting their potential as an alternative to bypass the great challenge posed by resistance to currently used anti-infective agents.
Araújo et al. (Mon,) studied this question.