**8. Conclusion**

Over the last 20 years, there has been significant basic science, translational, and clinical research into the use of probiotics in the treatment of disease. There is a widespread belief among patients that probiotics preserve a healthy state and even

*Translation of Immunomodulatory Effects of Probiotics into Clinical Practice DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.109864*

have curative properties. It is widely believed that the beneficial aspects of probiotics involve antagonism against pathogenic molecules, infections, and augmentation of the gut microbiota, thereby maintaining the host's immune homeostasis. Clinical applications of probiotics are diverse, branching well beyond the gastrointestinal system. While often used as a panacea of sorts by the public, there remains limited evidence of specific species and dosage of efficacy for specific diseases. There is a growing body of research supporting the clinical use of probiotics for applications well beyond gastrointestinal ailments. More research and collaboration among basic science researchers and clinicians to specifically define appropriate usage of probiotics based on the disease targets, dosage, and specific strain deployed.
