Lactic acid bacteria (LABs), in addition to being important members of the mammalian gut consortium, exhibit beneficial properties such as secretion of antimicrobial peptides and anti-CD activities.56,58Lactobacillus casei can suppress the inflammatory cytokines produced in response to CDI,59 upregulate mucin gene expression,60 and also appears to confer human subjects some protection from CDI when administered as a fermented drink.54–61Lactobacillus acidophilus has been shown to decrease CD toxin gene expression and also protect animals in a murine CDI model.62 The gene discussed is MUC5AC; the disease is clostridium difficile infection.