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Bacillus clausii effects in children with allergic rhinitis
Author(s) -
Ciprandi G.,
Vizzaccaro A.,
Cirillo I.,
Tosca M. A.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2005.00722.x
Subject(s) - medicine
Allergic rhinitis is characterized by T-helper (Th)2 polarization as elevated levels of Th2-derived cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and IL-13, have been evidenced at nasal level in allergic rhinitics (1). Th2 cytokines play a pathogenic role as they induce IgE synthesis and eosinophil infiltration. Th2 polarization in allergic subjects may occur as consequence of reduced pressure of microbial agents in the gut: the so-called Hygiene Hypothesis (2). Probiotics may stimulate immune system at all mucosal surfaces and exert a primary prevention of atopic diseases and reduce allergic symptoms and inflammatory parameters (3). We previously found out that Bacillus clausii was capable of modulating cytokine pattern at nasal level in allergic children with recurrent respiratory infections (4). Particularly, B. clausii restored physiological Th1 polarization and induced T-regulatory cell response, as documented by increased levels of IL-10 and tumor growth factor (TGF)b after treatment (4). Therefore, we conducted a pilot study to investigate the potential effects exerted by B. clausii on nasal symptoms, eosinophils, and symptomatic use of antihistamines in children with allergic rhinitis. Twenty allergic children, 13 males and seven females, with an average age of 13.4 years (range 12–15) were consecutively evaluated. A detailed clinical history and a complete physical examination, including allergy evaluation, were carried out for each patient. The diagnosis of allergic rhinitis due to pollen sensitization was made according to validated criteria (5). The study was blinded both to the investigator who performed the nasal eosinophil assessment and the investigator who carried out statistical analysis. Symptomatic use of levocetirizine (5 mg tablets) was prescribed for all children. Ten of them were randomly treated with oral B. clausii (EnterogerAL LERGY 2 0 0 5 : 6 0 : 7 0 2 – 7 1 0 • COPYRIGHT a 2005 BLACKWELL MUNKSGAARD • ALL R IGHTS RESERVED • CONTRIBUT IONS TO THIS SECT ION WILL NOT UNDERGO PEER REV IEW, BUT WILL BE REV IEWED BY THE ASSOCIATE ED ITORS •