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The effects of selected probiotic strains on the development of eczema (the PandA study)
Author(s) -
Niers L.,
Martín R.,
Rijkers G.,
Sengers F.,
Timmerman H.,
Van Uden N.,
Smidt H.,
Kimpen J.,
Hoekstra M.
Publication year - 2009
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.1398-9995.2009.02021.x
Subject(s) - probiotic , bifidobacterium bifidum , placebo , medicine , incidence (geometry) , bifidobacterium , bifidobacterium breve , cumulative incidence , offspring , immunology , pregnancy , lactobacillus , bacteria , biology , pathology , lactobacillus acidophilus , genetics , alternative medicine , physics , transplantation , optics
Background: Modification of the intestinal microbiota by administration of probiotic bacteria may be a potential approach to prevent allergic disease. We aimed to study primary prevention of allergic disease in high‐risk children by pre‐ and postnatal supplementation of selected probiotic bacteria. Methods: In a double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial, a mixture of probiotic bacteria selected by in‐vitro experiments ( Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium lactis, and Lactococcus lactis ; Ecologic ® Panda) was prenatally administered to mothers of high‐risk children (i.e. positive family history of allergic disease) and to their offspring for the first 12 months of life. Results: Parental‐reported eczema during the first 3 months of life was significantly lower in the intervention group compared with placebo, 6/50 vs 15/52 ( P = 0.035). After 3 months, the incidence of eczema was similar in both groups. Cumulative incidence of parental‐reported eczema at 1 and 2 years was 23/50 (intervention) vs 31/48 (placebo) and 27 (intervention) vs 34 (placebo), respectively. The number needed to treat was 5.9 at age 3 and 12 months and 6.7 at age 2 years. The intervention group was significantly more frequently colonized with higher numbers of Lc. lactis. Furthermore, at age 3 months, in vitro production of IL‐5 (146 pg/ml vs 72 pg/ml; P = 0.04) was decreased in the probiotic‐group compared with the placebo‐group. Conclusions: This particular combination of probiotic bacteria shows a preventive effect on the incidence of eczema in high‐risk children, which seems to be sustained during the first 2 years of life. In addition to previous studies, the preventive effect appears to be established within the first 3 months of life.