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Clinical Trial
. 2001 Apr 7;357(9262):1076-9.
doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(00)04259-8.

Probiotics in primary prevention of atopic disease: a randomised placebo-controlled trial

Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Probiotics in primary prevention of atopic disease: a randomised placebo-controlled trial

M Kalliomäki et al. Lancet. .

Abstract

Background: Reversal of the progressive increase in frequency of atopic disease would be an important breakthrough for health care and wellbeing in western societies. In the hygiene hypothesis this increase is attributed to reduced microbial exposure in early life. Probiotics are cultures of potentially beneficial bacteria of the healthy gut microflora. We assessed the effect on atopic disease of Lactobacillus GG (which is safe at an early age and effective in treatment of allergic inflammation and food allergy).

Methods: In a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial we gave Lactobacillus GG prenatally to mothers who had at least one first-degree relative (or partner) with atopic eczema, allergic rhinitis, or asthma, and postnatally for 6 months to their infants. Chronic recurring atopic eczema, which is the main sign of atopic disease in the first years of life, was the primary endpoint.

Findings: Atopic eczema was diagnosed in 46 of 132 (35%) children aged 2 years. Asthma was diagnosed in six of these children and allergic rhinitis in one. The frequency of atopic eczema in the probiotic group was half that of the placebo group (15/64 [23%] vs 31/68 [46%]; relative risk 0.51 [95% CI 0.32-0.84]). The number needed to treat was 4.5 (95% CI 2.6-15.6).

Interpretations: Lactobacillus GG was effective in prevention of early atopic disease in children at high risk. Thus, gut microflora might be a hitherto unexplored source of natural immunomodulators and probiotics, for prevention of atopic disease.

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Comment in

  • ACP J Club. 2001 Nov-Dec;135(3):106
  • Toll of allergy reduced by probiotics.
    Murch SH. Murch SH. Lancet. 2001 Apr 7;357(9262):1057-9. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(00)04305-1. Lancet. 2001. PMID: 11297952 No abstract available.
  • Probiotics for prevention of atopic disease?
    Niers LE, Rijkers G, Knol EF, Meijer Y, Hoekstra MO. Niers LE, et al. Lancet. 2003 Aug 9;362(9382):496; author reply 496. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(03)14086-x. Lancet. 2003. PMID: 12927448 No abstract available.

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