MXPA00003411A - Product and preparation containing lactic acid bacteria - Google Patents

Abstract

Absorbent articles comprising lactic acid bacteria, and which articles can be stored for a long time under non-ideal conditions can be obtained by applying a suspension of lactic acid bacteria to an absorbent product, whereafter the absorbent product is dried to a moisture content of less than 10%, preferably less than 5%, and most preferably less that 1%, calculated as percentage of weight of the absorbent core in the product. The absorbent product can be a diaper, sanitary napkin, panty liner, incontinence guard or like article. As already mentioned, it contains lactic acid bacteria and the article is intended to be carried in contact with the user's skin in the perineum area, wherein lactic acid bacteria are arranged to be transferred to the user's skin and, when applicable, to the mucus membrane in the perineum area, to form a microbiological barrier that impairs the conditions for spreading and establishment of undesirable stains of microorganisms in said perineum area.

Description

PRODUCT AND PREPARATION THAT CONTAINS LACTIC ACID BACTERIA Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an absorbent article containing lactic acid bacteria and intended to come into contact with the skin of a user in the perineum. Background of the Invention Infections in the urogenital region are a problem that affects many individuals. In and around the anus, there are many different types of microorganisms as well as large amounts of these microorganisms. It is known that one reason for many infections in the urogenital region is that microorganisms from a person's own intestinal flora disperse from the anus to the urogenital organs on the perineum and these cause infection. Normally, an ecological balance between different microorganisms in the skin and mucous membrane predominates and the normal microbiological flora is highly significant to avoid the establishment of undesirable microorganisms. Lactic acid bacteria, among other things, play an active role in that aspect. However, there are situations in which this natural defense system is inadequate and disturbed in a way that allows potentially pathogenic microorganisms to establish themselves and give rise to infection, for example in conjunction with medication, poor hygiene, skin changes and changes. in the mucous membranes. Microorganisms that may be associated with the occurrence of these problems are for example microorganisms of the genera Escherichia, Enterococcus, Proteus, Klebsiella, Streptococcus, Gardnerella and Candida. With regard to the danger of contracting infections in the urogenital region, older and younger women are more at risk than men, due to the short distance from the anus to the urethral orifice and vagina. The groups that are at even greater risk in this regard are young women who have not yet developed lactic acid bacteria flora in the urogenital region and older women who no longer develop more flora of this nature. Another group of risks are individuals who have been treated with antibiotics against some other types of infection, resulting in a change in their general natural microbiological flora and as a consequence also in the urogenital region. A closely related problem lies in the vaginal colonization of the anus, for example streptococci, etc. A large percentage of adult women (approximately 30%) transport group B streptococci, vaginally. Pregnant women in this group are a particular risk group, since the fetus and the newborn can be contaminated and develop a serious infection. A closely related problem is bacterial vaginosis. A large proportion of adult women (approximately 10%) suffer from this. Pregnant women who have these problems, constitute a risk group, since the condition can lead to a premature birth that constitutes a serious risk to the health of the baby. In general, recurrent urinary tract infections in the case of many individuals, and in the occurrence of these infections, can lead to complications in the form of kidney damage, for example, where no relevant treatment is available. A natural part of prophylaxis against infections in the urogenital region is improved personal hygiene. However, it may be inappropriate to wash the genitals and lower abdomen with excessively strong soap and bactericidal substances and consequently it may be difficult for an individual to reduce the risk of infection to a sufficient level with the help of conventional means.

Traditionally, the above problems are addressed when treating an infection with conventional antibiotics. However, frequent treatment with antibiotics leads to the development of strains of resistant bacteria, which can make the continuous treatment of new infections very difficult. An additional problem with antibiotic treatment is that many individuals are hypersensitive to antibiotics. Yet another problem with antibiotic treatment is that the microbial flora in and around the anus, it is complex and relatively undefined. Therefore it is difficult to propose a prophylactic treatment to reduce the risk of the occurrence of infections that can be caused by microorganisms of the intestines. To date, the only available method to reduce the risk of infection in the urogenital region has been antibiotic treatment. However, since the use of antibiotics for a prophylactic purpose is inadequate for several reasons, there is a serious need for an alternative solution to the problem in generating and maintaining a desired microbiological flora in the urogenital region. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE As previously mentioned, a traditional method to deal with the aforementioned problems is to treat patients with conventional antibiotics. Various alternate methods of dealing with the problems described above have been proposed. The use of bacteria as probiotics so-called, as an alternative to antibiotics, is part of this new methodology. It is known that certain lactic acid bacteria can have an inhibitory effect on other microorganisms. The application of these lactic acid bacteria has been found to prevent the occurrence of infections in both the skin and the mucous membrane. The medical use of selected strains of lactobacteria is described in Canadian Patent Specification CA 1298556 (Bruce, Reid), where inter alia, whole cells or fragments of cells are used to treat or prevent the occurrence of tract infections. urinary and intestinal infections. The International Patent Application WO 93/09793 (Reid), describes the use of lactobacteria and skim milk preparations, to avoid the occurrence of urogenital infections. Both CA 1298556 (Bruce, Reid) and WO 93/09793 (Reid) describe the ability of microorganisms to attach to the walls of the mucous membrane, for example uroepithelial cells or vaginal epithelial cells as an important component for the function of the treatment. However, neither CA 1298556 (Bruce, Reid) nor WO 93/09793 (Reid) describe how the substance involved should be applied to the user. International Patent Application WO 92/13577 (Kvanta) illustrates a tampon or sanitary napkin which has been impregnated with a culture of lactic acid-producing bacteria, preferably of the genus Pediococcus, which has been isolated from healthy persons. The tampon or sanitary pad is intended for prophylactic treatment of urogenital infections. WO 92/13577 (Kvanta) illustrates that applied microorganisms of Lactobacillos are attenuated, when technically handled and the method described relates to the treatment and prophylaxis around the orifice of the urethra. The aforementioned documents are only directed to the administration of lactic acid bacteria to the skin. However, none of the documents discloses anything regarding providing absorbent articles comprising lactic acid bacteria, these articles can be stored for a long time and still contain a sufficient amount of viable and transferable bacteria. It is absolutely necessary that consumer products such as absorbent articles can be stored for a long time and under non-ideal conditions, without risking the deterioration of the quality of the articles. Consequently, there is a need for absorbent articles, these articles are specially adapted for long-term storage under unfavorable conditions. COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION Now it has turned out that the aforementioned problems can be overcome and high quality can be ensured, by applying a suspension of lactic acid bacteria to an absorbent product, after which the absorbent product is dried at a moisture content of less than 10%, preferably less than 5% and more preferably less than 1%, calculated as% by weight of the absorbent core in the product. The absorbent product may be a diaper, sanitary napkin, panty liner, incontinence protector or the like. As already mentioned, it contains lactic acid bacteria and the article is intended to be put in contact with the wearer's skin in the perineum area, where the lactic acid bacteria are arranged to be transferred to the wearer's skin and when applicable , to the mucous membrane in the perineal area, to form a microbiological barrier that deteriorates the conditions for dissemination and establishment of undesirable strains of microorganisms in the perineal area. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in greater depth with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 shows the results obtained with interference tests between selected lactic acid bacteria and undesirable microorganisms. Figure 2 schematically illustrates the construction of a test product of the invention in the form of an insert. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In this way, an absorbent article of the invention is intended to transfer lactic acid bacteria to the user's perineum, and thus produce a microbiological flora that in the perineum impairs living conditions for undesirable strains of microorganisms. In this way, undesirable microorganisms are prevented from spreading from the user's anus to the urogenital organs. The lactic acid bacteria or a preparation containing lactic acid bacteria are applied to an absorbent article such as a diaper, sanitary napkin, panty liner or panty, incontinence protector and the like.

In general, the lactic acid bacteria are applied to the article, by adding a suspension of the bacteria to the surface of the article intended to be given to the user. Preferably, this suspension contains skim milk. It is advantageous if the suspension is concentrated in order to reduce the total volume of the suspension, but on the other hand a highly concentrated suspension can lead to problems of plugging or plugging in pipes and nozzles. A suitable concentration is within the range of 1 x 10q to 1 x 1012 cfu / ml (colony forming units per ml), and preferably within the range of 1 x 1010 to 1 x 1011 cf / ml. This suspension can be added when spraying or emptying it in the article. The aqueous part of the suspension is immediately absorbed in the absorbent layers at the bottom of the article, leaving the bacteria on top of the article that is closest to the wearer in a substantially dry state. Despite this absorption, it has proved essential to carry out a drying step in order to ensure that the moisture content of the finished article is less than 10%, preferably less than 5% and in particular less than 1%, calculated as a percentage of the weight of the absorbent core in the product.

The lactic acid bacteria will preferably have an inhibitory effect on the growth of undesirable microorganisms in the perineum. Lactic acid bacteria which are suitable for use according to the invention include one or more strains of the genera Lactobacillus, Lactococcus or Pediococcus However, lactic acid bacteria will preferably consist of one or more strains of the genus Lactobacillus The lactic acid bacteria can also be combined with other components, such as a pH reducing substance or an auxiliary substance that facilitate the survival of the lactic acid bacteria. Powdered skim milk is an example of this auxiliary substance. An absorbent article of the invention can be advantageously combined with the local administration of lactic acid bacteria to the vagina, with the help of the capsule, vagitorio (vaginal suppository) or some similar means. The substance of the invention can also be used advantageously in direct conjunction with antibiotic treatment, for example the treatment of a urogenital infection. The invention can be applied with all types of absorbent articles that are intended to be used in contact with the wearer's perineum. The lactic acid bacteria can therefore be included as a component in the absorbent body of the absorbent article or applied to or on the liquid permeable cover sheet of the article, or on or on a liquid transport layer between the permeable cover sheet to liquid and the absorbent body, or they can be applied in a separate carrier such as a tissue paper layer or the like. The absorbent article can be a diaper, sanitary napkin, incontinence protector, or panty liner. These articles usually include a liquid-permeable outer sheet on the intended surface when employed disposed next to the wearer. The advantage is achieved when a liquid barrier layer, for example in the form of a plastic film, is arranged adjacent to the opposite surface which is distant from the user, when employed. When the lactic acid bacteria are placed into the liner of the article, it is essential with respect to the invention, that the bacteria be able to pass through the liner on the surface of the intended article disposed against the wearer's skin in the perineum. It has been found advantageous when the number of lactic acid bacteria in the absorbent article is between 104 cfu and 10 11 cfu and preferably between 10 cfu and 10 cfu. Alternatively, the absorbent article may be in the form of an insert including means for connection to the liquid permeable outer sheet of a conventional absorbent article. An advantage with the use of this insert is that it avoids the need to generate products that are provided with lactic acid bacteria in a large number of different sizes and models. As already mentioned, the objective of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article of the aforementioned type, which will reduce the dispersion of bacteria from the anus to the urogenital organs, with the aid of microbiological antagonism. This object has been achieved according to the invention, with an absorbent article including lactic acid bacteria. The absorbent article is intended to be used regularly and in contact with the wearer's skin in the perineum area. By regular use, in this case, the daily or almost daily use of the article of the invention may be signified. The lactic acid bacteria are thus applied to the user's perineal area to produce and maintain in this area a microbiological flora that deteriorates the living conditions for undesirable microorganisms in the perineum area, and thus prevents the spread of these microorganisms from the anus to the urogenital organs. Examples of species associated with urogenital infections are Escherichia coli, Enterobacter, Klebsiella Pseudomonas, Proteus, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Sta ilococcus epidermidis, Group B streptococcus, Enterococci, Candida s. , Clamydia sp. , Gardnerella vaginalis, Mobiluncus and Bacteroides sp. As mentioned previously, the invention is based on microbiological antagonism. The microbiological antagonism implies that a microorganism or combination of microorganisms will inhibit other microorganisms. An antagonistic strain will have to exhibit growth inhibitory effects with conventional interference techniques in several of the aforementioned undesirable microorganisms. Other important requirements of a suitable antagonistic microorganism are its ability to survive during storage and its ability to grow or ability to maintain its activity in a product during use. Antagonistic microorganisms can be organisms of natural origin that are not toxic and that do not exert any negative biological effect on humans, in the form of infections or changes in the skin.

However, antagonistic microorganisms can also be produced by biotechnical processes. Certain strains of lactic acid bacteria have a powerful inhibitory effect on strains of undesirable bacteria in the perineum of the users. This inhibitory effect is based on the fact that lactic acid bacteria possess a number of antagonistic properties that act through different mechanisms such as reducing the pH, for example by producing lactic acid, competition for available nutrients, reduction of the redox potential, production of hydrogen peroxide, production of specific inhibitory substances or components, such as enzymes, toxins or bacteriocins and competition for available binding sites. The antagonist effect may be further increased in some cases by adding an additional pH reducing substance. The growth of undesirable microorganisms present in the user's perineum can be inhibited by adding the product of the invention lactic acid bacteria, which exhibits antagonistic properties against undesirable microorganisms. At least some microorganisms of unwanted species can also be exterminated in this way. The microorganisms added to the product must be added in such quantities and have these activities to achieve the desired effect. This effect is usually achieved when the number of antagonistic microorganisms per product is greater than 106 cfu, preferably 108 cfu and more preferably 10P cfu. One advantage that is achieved by the use of antagonistic microorganisms is that an undesired selection pressure in the microenvironment is avoided, such as favoring potential pathogenic microorganisms and thus the risk of developing pathogenic strains that are resistant to antibiotics and chemotherapeutic agents. Since the antimicrobial system is based on a natural biological process, the risk of toxic and ecological environmental disturbances is reduced. The product of the invention may include a carrier in the form of for example a typical pant liner, with or without a liquid-impermeable backsheet and includes an absorbent layer containing 100-200 g / m2 of cellulose pulp, in mix with 0 to 10% super absorbent powder. The side of the product intended to be close to the user when using it uses lactic acid bacteria in a concentration which will preferably be in the order of 10 4 to 10 11, preferably 10 to 10 10 cfu per product. A product of the invention preferably will include a convenient substance that will aid in the survival of microorganisms. A taT auxiliary can, for example, be skim milk powder.

Regardless of the general form of the product, a product of the invention may also include a substance that lowers the pH, convenient to further improve the antagonistic effect. EXAMPLES The following examples are intended to further illustrate the effect of a product of the invention. Example 1 Bacterial antagonism is studied with the aid of tests carried out according to the agar superposition method. The method is based on the infusion of the growth inhibitory substance that is produced by the lactic acid bacteria through an agar layer and its inhibition of the growth of the test organisms. Lactic acid bacteria, three strains of Lactobacillus designated LB13, LB14 and LB16 respectively and five strains of Lactococcus designated L3, L4, L5, L9 and L26 respectively, were grown in a culture overnight in Merck nutrient broth. Lactococcus were cultured in M17 and Lactobacillus in MRS. Agar (2%) of M17 and MRS (25 ml) respectively was mixed with 1.0 ml of respective bacteria and molded in a Petri dish. The agar plates were incubated overnight at 37 ° C. The plates with MRS were incubated in an atmosphere of CO. Reference plates were prepared in a corresponding manner, but without the lactic acid bacteria. A fresh layer containing 25 ml of agar, it was emptied over the existing layer in the Petri dishes and allowed to solidify. The test organisms in the form of gram negative bacteria of respective Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp and Proteus spp and 100, 91 and 50 strains respectively were grown in a broth and prepared at a dilution corresponding to 107 cfu / ml in Bertani trays . The test bacteria were stamped into the new agar layer, with the aid of a Steers steel pin replicator (Steers E et al, J. Antibiot Chemother (1979, 9307) .The plates were incubated at 37 ° C for twenty four. Subsequent to incubation, the plates were read and compared to the reference plates When read, the plates "growth", "inhibition" or "zero growth" were recorded for respective test organisms The pH of all the layers of agar was measured, and those plates with a pH less than 5.0 were retested with the pH-adjusted agar, ie with agar to which a small amount of glucose was added to counteract the pH reduction. of the total number of test organisms that were inhibited or gave zero growth.

The diagram of the Figure shows the percentage of the different strains of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella and Proteus that were inhibited by the presence of very select strains of the genera Lactobacillus and Lactococcus. It is evident that the strains Lactobacillus LB13 and LB 16 have an inhibitory effect practically in all the pathogenic strains. The strain Lactobacillus designated LB 14 inhibits the growth of all E. coli strains, approximately 80% of the Proteus strains and slightly more than 30% of the Klebsiella strains. All the Lactococcus and Lactobacillus used had an inhibitory effect on growth in some of the pathogenic strains. Of the strains of Lactococcus, the inhibition of the highest percentage of pathogens is obtained with L26 and L9, both of which had an inhibitory effect practically in all strains of E. coli and in a large percentage of the Klebsiella strains. Example 2 The following tests were carried out with the intention of studying the transfer of lactic acid bacteria to the perineum of people using panty protectors. All three people were women between 3 and 60 years of age. In some cases, the test was carried out between the menstrual periods of the test persons involved. The test products were produced from conventional panty liners including a liquid permeable cover sheet, a liquid waterproof backing sheet and an absorbent cellulose chemical pulp layer, 100-200 g / m2, sandwiched between them. A suspension of selected lactic acid bacteria was sprayed on the absorbent side of the test products, at a concentration of 109 cfu per product. The presence of lactic acid bacteria in the perineum of the test persons was determined with the aid of a test, so-called swab test. In this case, bacteria were harvested by immersing a sterile bar that is provided with a cotton cap in a sterile saline solution and scraping the top of the bar over a defined area of the skin. The presence of lactic acid bacteria in the perineum of twenty test persons was determined, measured in this way to obtain a so-called zero sample (background sample). The test persons then used panty protectors for five hours over a morning period. The panty protectors were then removed and the presence of lactic acid bacteria again measured, immediately after removing the panty protectors. This test was designated sample 1. An additional test, designated sample 2, was performed after an additional 45 hours. The type of lactic acid bacteria is identified on each sampling occasion, in order to assess that none of the test persons was a natural carrier of the selected type of lactic acid bacteria added to the test products. The identification method used was API (API system, La Balme les Grottes, 38390 Montalieu, Vercieu, France). The results obtained with these measurement processes are defined in Table 1. Table 1 Presence of LAB * in the perineum (CFO) TP Flora Show 0 Sample 1 Sample 2 1 LAB added 0 0 0 LAB own 0 0 0 2 LAB added 0 4.0X101 0 LAB own 0 0 0 3 LAB added 0 7.2xl03 1.6xl? ' Own LAB 0 0 0 4 LAB added 0 0 0 Own LAB 0 0 0 5 LAB added 0 1. lxlO2 5. OxlO3 LAB own 0 0 0 6 LAB added 0 5.0X101 3.OxlO1 LAB own + + 0 ~ 7 LAB added 0 3.2xl02 1.3xl03 Table 1 Presence of LAB * in the perineum (CFO) TP Flora Sample 0 Sample 1 Sample 2 LAB own + + + LAB added 0 2.7xl03 6. OxlO2 LAB own 0 0 0 LAB added 0 3.2X103 1. OxlO1 LAB own + 0 + LAB added 0 7.6xl02 7. OxlO1 LAB own + + + 11 LAB added 0 8.4xl03 7. oxia1 LAB own + + + 12 LAB added 0 3.5X103 d.oxio1 LAB own + + + 13 LAB added 0 2.4xl02 3. OxlO2 LAB own + + + 14 LAB added 0 0 0 LAB own + + + LAB added 0 2.1X102 8. OxlO1 LAB own + + + 16 LAB added 0 1.6x10"4.0x10 ^ Own LAB 0 0 0 17 LAB added 0 6.0xl02 1.5xl02 LAB own + + + 18 LAB added 0 9.3xl02 1.0'xlO1 Own LAB 0 0 0 Table 1 Presence of LAB * in the perineum (CFO) TP Flora Sample 0 Sample 1 Sample 2 19 LAB added 0 4. OxlO1 1. OxlO1 LAB own 0 0 0 20 LAB added 0 7. 2xl 03 7. Oxl O1 LAB own 0 0 0 TP number with LAB added * LAB = lactic acid bacteria 0 = no lactic acid bacteria were found in the test persons. + I HEARD the presence of LAB itself in the test persons As is evident in Table 1, the selected lactic acid bacteria added to the test products were activated when the test products were used by the test persons, and that the Selected lactic acid bacteria were transferred to the perineum area of the persons and were found to be present in the area even for a relatively long period of time after having removed the test products. Example 3 A clinical study was carried out with the objective of illustrating the effect of adding lactic acid bacteria to the uroperineal flora of children suffering from myelomeningocele. The study was blind, randomized and with a cross design. 23 children aged 2 to 17 participated in the study. All the children were diaper users. The test products in the form of inserts with and without lactic acid bacteria were placed as close to the skin in the standard diaper. The construction of the insert 1 used is illustrated in Figure 2. Arranged in the uppermost part of the insert 1, that is to say close to the wearer's skin, there is a cover sheet permeable to liquid 2, made of non-material material. tissue. A thin tissue layer 13 was immediately adjacent to and inward of the cover sheet 2. The insert 1 also includes an absorbent cushion 4 consisting of a mixture of cellulose plush pulp and super absorbent material. Placed on the surface of the absorbent pad 4 next to the layer of tissue 3, there is a layer of freeze-dried milk powder 5, with or without a mixture of freeze-dried, lactic acid bacteria, selected at a concentration of 10 cfu. per insert. The tissue layer 3, the absorbent pad 4 and the powdered milk 5 were circumscribed between the liquid permeable cover sheet 2 and a similar liquid permeable backing sheet 6 of nonwoven material. Two strips of adhesive 7 were provided on the bottom surface 6 intended to be placed next to the diaper in use, to allow the insert 1 to be attached to the diapers worn by the test children. The adhesive strips 7 were protected by release paper 8 before placing the insert 1 in respective diapers. The absorbent pad 4 was formed as an absorbent layer of 150 g / m2 of chemithermomechanical pulp mixed with 10% superabsorbent powder. The milk powder dried by freezing in the present case, in mixture with freeze-dried lactic acid bacteria, was sprayed on the surface of the tissue layer 3 facing the absorbent pad 4. The layer of tissue 3 had a weight by approximate unit area of 20 g / m2 and placed on the milk powder. The cover sheet 2, and the back sheet 6 consisted of a nonwoven material having a weight per unit area of about 17 g / m2 and were laminated on both sides by the absorbent unit 3-5. The insert thus produced 1 had an hourglass profile configuration with a width greater than about 9 cm and a smaller width of about 6.5 cm and a length of about 24 cm. The tests were performed during periods of 6 plus 6 weeks with an intermediate period of 3 weeks. A urine culture was performed before and during the respective test periods (at two-week intervals) and a quantitative determination was made of the perineum and the orifice of the urethra. The number of bacteria obtained is transferred to a measurement scale between 0 and 5, where 0 denotes cfu <; 102, 1 denotes cfu between 102 and 103 and so on. The results obtained are shown in Table 2. Table 2 Insert without LAB * Insert with LAB Local Bacteria M SD M SD Signifi -General group Potential Perineum 1.93 0.84 1.52 0.89 Yes Urinal Urethra 1.62 1.12 1.29 0.95 No Tract Urine 1.93 1.72 1.43 1.39 Yes Pathogens * LAB = lactic acid bacteria M = average value SD = Standard deviation It is evident from Table 2 that the insert containing selected lactic acid bacteria provides a statistically significant reduction (p <0.05) in the number of tract pathogens urinary potential (PUP = Potential Urinal tract Patogens) in the perineum and urine. Example 4 The following tests were carried out with the intention of studying the survival of lactic acid bacteria in absorbent articles according to the invention. Test products were made from conventional panty liners that include a liquid-permeable cover sheet, a liquid-impermeable backing sheet, and an absorbent layer of 100-200 g / m2 chemical cellulose pulp, sandwiched between them . Approximately 150 μl of a suspension of selected lactic acid bacteria in skimmed milk sprayed on the absorbent side of the test products, at a concentration of approximately 9.0 x 107 cfu per product. Some test products were dried at a moisture content below 10% (weight) before they were packaged in plastic packaging, while other products were packed without any preceding drying step. The amount of live lactic acid bacteria was determined after 14, 28, 40 and 53 days, respectively, using standard methods. The results of these tests are described in Table 3 below. Table 3 protector protector of dry pants that has not dried D Day ccffuu ccffuu cfu cfu 0 9.0xl07 7. OxlO7 9.0xl07 7.0xl07 14 7.5xl06 6.1xl06 3.6xl05 8.0xl05 28 7.2xl07 2.6xl07 2.1x10"l.OxlO3 40 8.9xl07 3.2xl07 1.4xl04 1.4xl03 Table 3 (Cont.) Protector of short pants that has not dried dry Day cfu cfu cfu cfu -53 7.0xl07 3.0xl07 l.lxlO4 l.OxlO3 As is evident from the Table 3 above, the amount of viable lactic acid bacteria does not decrease during the test period, however, the amount of viable lactic acid bacteria decreases considerably if the drying step is not carried out before packing. to be considered restricted to the examples described above, since it will be understood that a number of modifications and additional modalities are conceived within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (11)

1. - An absorbent product, such as a diaper, sanitary napkin, panty protectors, incontinence protector, an insert or similar article, containing lactic acid bacteria, and intended to be transported in contact with the skin of the wearer, in the area of the pyrenees, where lactic acid bacteria are arranged to be transferred to the user's skin and when they are applied to the mucous membrane in the perineum area, to form a microbiological barrier that deteriorates the conditions for dissemination and establishment of undesirable strains of microorganisms in the perineum area, characterized the absorbent product because it has been made by applying a suspension of lactic acid bacteria, after which the absorbent product is dried at a moisture content of less than 10%, preferably less than 5% and more preferably less than 1%, calculated as a percentage of the weight of the absorbent core in the product.

2. Product in accordance with the claim 1, characterized in that the lactic acid bacteria exhibit an inhibitory effect against undesirable microorganisms in the perineum of the user.

3. Product according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lactic acid bacteria include one or more strains of the genera Lactobacillus, Lactococcus or Pediococcus.

4. Product according to claim 3, characterized in that the lactic acid bacteria consist of one or more strains of the genus Lactobacillus.

5. Product according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the product includes a substance that reduces the pH.

6. Product according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the product includes an auxiliary substance to facilitate the survival of lactic acid bacteria.

7. Product according to claim 6, characterized in that the auxiliary substance is skimmed milk powder.

8. An absorbent article according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the lactic acid bacteria are placed in or on a liquid permeable cover sheet included in the article.

9. An absorbent article according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the lactic acid bacteria are located directly below the liquid-permeable cover sheet.

10. - An absorbent article of consistency with any of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the lactic acid bacteria are placed in or on an absorbent pad included in the article.

11. An absorbent article according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the article contains lactic acid bacteria in quantities between 104 and 1011 cfu, preferably between 106 and 1010 cfu.