SELECTED ARTICLES FROM THE RECENT LITERATURE 2007

August 16, 2007

What is the role of probiotic supplements in the prevention of allergies and asthma?

Summary
Background - A corollary of the currently promulgated "hygiene hypothesis" is that additional of certain non-pathogenic bacterial strains such as Lactobaccilus strains (probiotics) to the diet of young children will inhibit the development of eczema, atopy, and asthma. But how effective is such probiotic therapy?

Findings - The possible effects of probiotics in the prevention of allergic diseases were reviewed by Prescott and Bjorkten. They concluded that there is a sound theoretical basis for anticipating preventive effects of probiotic supplementation in the diets of young children. However, there are currently insufficient findings to recommend probiotics as a standard approach in children at increased risk for developing allergic diseases and asthma. Some, but not other, studies have shown that the feeding of probiotics in young children is significantly associated with a subsequent reduced incidence of atopic eczema. None of the studies has shown any clear preventive effect of probiotic supplementation on development of allergic sensitization or of allergic respiratory diseases.

Little is known about the detailed functioning of the large internal ecosystem in the human G-I tract. Varying findings in different studies of the effects of probiotics to date may reflect possible confounding factors in different subjects such as differences in the propensity to allergic diseases, general microbial burden and microbiotics.

Reference
J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007;120:255-62

Editor's Comments
Findings in this area of investigation have been conflicting and somewhat confusing to me. Beneficial effects of probiotic supplements in early childhood have been reported usually from centers in Scandinavia. As noted above, multiple factors in the complex ecosystem within the G-I tract may affect whether at least eczema is prevented or retarded by probiotic feeding in infancy.

 

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