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1.
Br J Nutr ; 111(2): 301-9, 2014 Jan 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23919920

ABSTRACT

The aims of the present study were to assess the possible differences in faecal microbiota between men with a low serum enterolactone concentration and those with a high concentration, and to investigate the impact of a synbiotic mixture on serum enterolactone concentration in men with a low concentration. We compared faecal microbiota between ten men with the lowest serum enterolactone concentration and ten men with the highest concentration at recruitment (n 84). Furthermore, we carried out a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over intervention study (6-week intervention periods and 4-week washout period) to investigate the impact of a synbiotic mixture (two Lactobacillus strains, one Bifidobacterium strain, one Propionibacterium strain and galacto-oligosaccharides (32 g/l)) on serum enterolactone concentration in fifty-two men who had a concentration < 20 nmol/l. Serum sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration was measured at the end of the first intervention period. Men with a low serum enterolactone concentration when compared with those with a high concentration had less faecal bacteria, especially those belonging to the Lactobacillus-Enterococcus group (median 8·2 (interquartile range 7·8-8·4) log10 colony-forming units/g v. median 8·8 (interquartile range 8·5-8·9) log10 colony-forming units/g, P= 0·009). The synbiotic mixture that was used did not have a significant effect on serum enterolactone (synbiotic v. placebo ratio 0·96 (95 % CI 0·76, 1·22), P= 0·724) or serum sensitive CRP (synbiotic v. placebo ratio 0·99 (95 % CI 0·74, 1·33), P= 0·954) concentration. Men with a low serum enterolactone concentration harbour less colonic bacteria, especially those belonging to the Lactobacillus-Enterococcus group. A synbiotic mixture does not increase serum enterolactone concentration.


Subject(s)
4-Butyrolactone/analogs & derivatives , Colon/microbiology , Enterococcus/physiology , Lactobacillus/physiology , Lignans/blood , Synbiotics , 4-Butyrolactone/blood , Adult , Cross-Over Studies , Data Collection , Double-Blind Method , Feces/microbiology , Feeding Behavior , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult
2.
J Med Virol ; 85(9): 1632-8, 2013 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23794458

ABSTRACT

Limited data are available on the effects of probiotics on the nasopharyngeal presence of respiratory viruses in children attending day care. In this substudy of a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled 28-week intervention study, nasopharyngeal swab samples were collected, on visits to a physician due to symptoms of infection, from children receiving control milk (N = 97) and children receiving the same milk supplemented with probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (N = 97). The presence of 14 respiratory viruses was assessed by PCR methods, and viral findings were compared with symptom prevalences in the intervention groups. Rhinovirus was identified in 28.6% of 315 swab samples, followed by respiratory syncytial virus (12.4%), parainfluenza virus 1 (12.1%), enterovirus (8.9%), influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 (7.9%), human bocavirus 1 (3.8%), parainfluenza virus 2 (3.2%), adenovirus (2.9%), and influenza A(H3N2) (0.6%). The children in the probiotic group had less days with respiratory symptoms per month than the children in the control group (6.48 [95% CI 6.28-6.68] vs. 7.19 [95% CI 6.98-7.41], P < 0.001). Probiotic intervention did not reduce significantly the occurrence of the examined respiratory viruses, or have an effect on the number of respiratory symptoms observed at the time of a viral finding. Rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and parainfluenza virus 1 were the most common respiratory viruses in symptomatic children. Children receiving Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG had fewer days with respiratory symptoms than children in the control group, although probiotic intervention was not effective in reducing the amount of viral findings or the respiratory symptoms associated with viral findings.


Subject(s)
Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus/immunology , Nasopharynx/virology , Probiotics/administration & dosage , Virus Diseases/prevention & control , Viruses/isolation & purification , Child , Child Day Care Centers , Child, Preschool , Double-Blind Method , Female , Humans , Male , Placebos/administration & dosage , Prevalence , Treatment Outcome , Virus Diseases/epidemiology , Virus Diseases/pathology , Virus Diseases/virology , Viruses/classification
3.
Br J Nutr ; 109(12): 2240-6, 2013 Jun 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23092692

ABSTRACT

The present randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to determine whether consumption of probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (GG) would lead to the recovery of GG in tonsil tissue. After 3 weeks' daily consumption of GG as a single strain (n 20), GG as a part of a multispecies combination (n 17) or placebo (n 20), tonsil tissue samples were collected from fifty-seven young adults during tonsillectomy due to chronic or recurrent tonsillitis. Strain-specific real-time PCR was used to detect GG in the tonsil tissue. GG was recovered in the tonsil sample of 40% of the subjects in the GG group, 41% in the multispecies group and 30% in the placebo group (P value between groups 0.79). In all subjects with positive recovery of GG in the tonsil tissue, GG was also recovered in the faecal sample taken at the start of the intervention and at the time of the tissue sample collection, which indicates more persistent adherence of the probiotic. To conclude, GG can be recovered from tonsil tissue after oral administration as a singlestrain probiotic or as a part of a multispecies probiotic combination. The present results suggest that individual variation exists in the ability of GG to adhere to tonsil tissue. Persistence of GG appears to be high in tonsil tissue as well, in addition to persistence in faecal samples, which has been demonstrated previously. Further clinical trials are warranted to evaluate whether probiotic adherence in the tonsil tissue could have a role in respiratory symptom prevalence.


Subject(s)
Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus/isolation & purification , Palatine Tonsil/microbiology , Probiotics/analysis , Administration, Oral , Adolescent , Adult , Double-Blind Method , Feces/microbiology , Female , Humans , Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus/metabolism , Male , Probiotics/administration & dosage , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction , Tonsillectomy
4.
Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol ; 76(2): 206-11, 2012 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22119148

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Human bocavirus (HBoV) is frequently identified in children with respiratory tract infections, and its role in acute otitis media (AOM) has been suggested. The disease associations for the closely related bocaviruses HBoV2-4 remain unknown. Increasing evidence shows that probiotics may reduce the risk of AOM of viral origin. Objectives of the study was to examine the prevalence and persistence of bocaviruses in consecutive nasopharyngeal samples (NPS) of otitis-prone children, and whether an association exists between HBoV and the child's characteristics, respiratory symptoms, and AOM pathogens, and whether probiotics reduce the occurrence of HBoV. METHODS: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, 6-month intervention study, 269 otitis-prone children (aged 9 months to 5.6 years), consumed daily either one capsule of probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, L. rhamnosus Lc705, Bifidobacterium breve 99 and Propionibacterium freudenreichii JS) or placebo. After a clinical examination and NPS collected at three-time points, the presence and persistence of HBoV1-4 DNA in NPS was determined by RT-qPCR at the baseline, after 3, and 6 months. RESULTS: A high load (>10,000 copies/ml) of HBoV DNA was detected in 26 (17.1%) of 152 children, and 16 (10.5%) showed a prolonged presence of HBoV for at least 3 months. None had DNA of HBoV2-4. Higher number of siblings associated with increased HBoV prevalence (p=0.029). Prevalence or persistence of HBoV was not significantly associated with other characteristics, respiratory symptoms, or AOM pathogens. Probiotic intervention significantly reduced the number of HBoV DNA-positive samples (probiotic vs. placebo: 6.4% vs. 19.0%, OR=0.25, CI 95%=0.07-0.94, p=0.039). CONCLUSIONS: HBoV, but not HBoV2-4, DNA occurs often in the nasopharynx of otitis-prone children, and may persist for 3-6 months. Probiotic treatment possibly reduced the presence of HBoV.


Subject(s)
Human bocavirus/drug effects , Nasopharynx/virology , Otitis Media/virology , Parvoviridae Infections/drug therapy , Probiotics/administration & dosage , Acute Disease , Chi-Square Distribution , Child , Child, Preschool , Confidence Intervals , DNA, Viral/analysis , DNA, Viral/drug effects , Disease Susceptibility/epidemiology , Disease Susceptibility/virology , Double-Blind Method , Female , Finland , Follow-Up Studies , Human bocavirus/isolation & purification , Humans , Infant , Logistic Models , Male , Odds Ratio , Otitis Media/prevention & control , Parvoviridae Infections/diagnosis , Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , Reference Values , Respiratory Tract Infections/drug therapy , Respiratory Tract Infections/prevention & control , Respiratory Tract Infections/virology , Risk Assessment , Treatment Outcome
5.
J Nutr ; 141(5): 870-6, 2011 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21411613

ABSTRACT

A high serum concentration of enterolactone, an enterolignan produced by colonic microbiota from precursors in cereals, vegetables, and fruits, is associated with reduced risk of acute coronary events. Probiotics and prebiotics modify colonic metabolism and may affect the serum enterolactone concentration. The effects of a probiotic mixture alone and with galactooligosaccharides (GOS) on serum enterolactone concentration and fecal metabolism were investigated in 18 healthy men. Participants received 3 interventions, each for 2 wk: 1) probiotics [Lactobacillus rhamnosus strains GG (LGG) and LC705, Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp. shermanii JS, and Bifidobacterium breve Bb99, for a total amount of 2 × 10(10) CFU/d]; 2) probiotics and GOS 3.8 g/d; 3) probiotics, GOS, and rye bread (minimum 120 g/d). Serum enterolactone and fecal dry weight, enzyme activities, pH, SCFA, lactic acid bacteria, bifidobacteria, propionibacteria, and the strains LGG and LC705 were determined. The serum enterolactone concentration (nmol/L) tended to be decreased from baseline [mean (95% CI) 18.6 (10.8-26.4)] by probiotics alone [15.2 (7.8-22.7); P = 0.095], was not significantly affected by probiotics with GOS [21.5 (13.2-29.8)], and was increased by probiotics with GOS and rye bread [24.6 (15.4-33.7); P < 0.05]. Probiotics alone did not affect fecal ß-glucosidase activity and bifidobacteria, but probiotics with GOS decreased ß-glucosidase activity and increased bifidobacteria compared with baseline (P < 0.05) and with probiotics alone (P < 0.01). In conclusion, this probiotic mixture with or without GOS does not significantly affect serum enterolactone concentration. Because probiotics with GOS decreased fecal ß-glucosidase activity but not serum enterolactone, the reduced fecal ß-glucosidase, within the range of activities measured, does not seem to limit the formation of enterolactone.


Subject(s)
4-Butyrolactone/analogs & derivatives , Feces/enzymology , Galactose/analogs & derivatives , Lignans/blood , Oligosaccharides/administration & dosage , Probiotics/pharmacology , beta-Glucosidase/metabolism , 4-Butyrolactone/blood , Adult , Bacterial Load , Bifidobacterium/isolation & purification , Bifidobacterium/metabolism , Bread , Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control , Fatty Acids, Volatile/analysis , Feces/chemistry , Feces/microbiology , Galactose/administration & dosage , Galactose/adverse effects , Humans , Lactobacillaceae/isolation & purification , Lactobacillaceae/metabolism , Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus/metabolism , Male , Middle Aged , Oligosaccharides/adverse effects , Probiotics/adverse effects , Probiotics/isolation & purification , Probiotics/metabolism , Propionibacterium/isolation & purification , Propionibacterium/metabolism , Surveys and Questionnaires , Water/analysis
6.
Int J Food Microbiol ; 144(2): 293-300, 2010 Dec 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21074284

ABSTRACT

Most clinical studies of probiotics use freeze-dried, powdered bacteria or bacteria packed in capsules. However, probiotics are commercially available in various food matrices, which may affect their persistence in the gastrointestinal tract. The objective of the study was to compare oral and faecal recovery during and after administration of a combination of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and LC705, Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. shermanii JS, and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bb12 as capsules, yoghurt, or cheese. This randomized, parallel-group, open-label trial (n=36) included a 4-week run-in, 2-week intervention, and 3-week follow-up period. Participants consumed 10(10)cfu/day of probiotic combination and provided saliva and faecal samples before, during, and after the intervention. Strain-specific real-time PCR was used to quantify the strains. L. rhamnosus GG was the only probiotic strain regularly recovered in saliva samples. During the intervention period it was recovered in the saliva of 88% of the volunteers at least once. No difference was found between the yoghurt and cheese groups. At the end of the intervention, L. rhamnosus GG and LC705 counts were high in faecal samples of all product groups (8.08 and 8.67log(10) genome copies/g, respectively). There was no matrix effect on strain quantity in faeces or the recovery time after ceasing the intervention. For P. freudenreichii subsp. shermanii JS and B. animalis subsp. lactis Bb12, a matrix effect was found at the end of the intervention (P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively) and in the recovery time during follow-up (P<0.05 for both). Yoghurt yielded the highest faecal quantity of JS and Bb12 strains (8.01 and 9.89log(10) genome copies/g, respectively). The results showed that the administration matrix did not influence the faecal quantity of lactobacilli, but affected faecal counts of propionibacteria and bifidobacteria that were lower when consumed in cheese. Thus, the consumption of probiotics in yoghurt matrix is highly suitable for studying potential health benefits and capsules provide a comparable means of administration when the viability of the strain in the capsule product is confirmed.


Subject(s)
Gastrointestinal Tract/microbiology , Probiotics/administration & dosage , Adolescent , Adult , Bifidobacterium/isolation & purification , Capsules , Cheese/microbiology , Feces/microbiology , Female , Humans , Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus/isolation & purification , Male , Middle Aged , Propionibacterium/isolation & purification , Saliva/microbiology , Yogurt/microbiology , Young Adult
7.
Scand J Infect Dis ; 42(9): 704-11, 2010 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20465487

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between child characteristics, parental and environmental factors and the occurrence of acute respiratory illness (ARI) and acute otitis media (AOM) among Finnish children attending day care centres (DCCs). The study was a cross-sectional questionnaire of 594 children aged 1-6 y from 18 DCCs in Helsinki, Finland. Recurrent (> or =4 diseases/y) ARI was present in 44% of the 1-3-y-olds and 23% of the 4-6-y-olds, and recurrent AOM in 15% and 2.5%, respectively. Parent atopic disease (odds ratio (OR) 1.53, p = 0.033), mother's academic education (OR 1.77, p = 0.008) and a medium length of DCC attendance compared to a short period (OR 1.67, p = 0.049) increased, while furry pets (OR 0.44, p = 0.003) and older child age (OR 0.38, p < 0.001) reduced the risk of recurrent ARI. Recurrent ARI (OR 3.96, p = 0.008), mother's academic education (OR 5.02, p = 0.003), and a medium length of DCC attendance compared to a short period (OR 3.34, p = 0.044) increased, while partial breastfeeding > or =6 months (OR 0.20, p = 0.002) and older child age (OR 0.05, p < 0.001) reduced the risk of recurrent AOM. Parental and environmental factors had a significant impact on recurrent ARI and AOM episodes in children attending DCCs. These risk factors should be considered in future studies intending to reduce DCC infections.


Subject(s)
Child Day Care Centers/statistics & numerical data , Otitis Media/epidemiology , Respiratory Tract Diseases/epidemiology , Acute Disease , Analysis of Variance , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Educational Status , Environment , Female , Finland/epidemiology , Humans , Male , Parents , Regression Analysis , Risk Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires
8.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 106(40): 17193-8, 2009 Oct 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19805152

ABSTRACT

To unravel the biological function of the widely used probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, we compared its 3.0-Mbp genome sequence with the similarly sized genome of L. rhamnosus LC705, an adjunct starter culture exhibiting reduced binding to mucus. Both genomes demonstrated high sequence identity and synteny. However, for both strains, genomic islands, 5 in GG and 4 in LC705, punctuated the colinearity. A significant number of strain-specific genes were predicted in these islands (80 in GG and 72 in LC705). The GG-specific islands included genes coding for bacteriophage components, sugar metabolism and transport, and exopolysaccharide biosynthesis. One island only found in L. rhamnosus GG contained genes for 3 secreted LPXTG-like pilins (spaCBA) and a pilin-dedicated sortase. Using anti-SpaC antibodies, the physical presence of cell wall-bound pili was confirmed by immunoblotting. Immunogold electron microscopy showed that the SpaC pilin is located at the pilus tip but also sporadically throughout the structure. Moreover, the adherence of strain GG to human intestinal mucus was blocked by SpaC antiserum and abolished in a mutant carrying an inactivated spaC gene. Similarly, binding to mucus was demonstrated for the purified SpaC protein. We conclude that the presence of SpaC is essential for the mucus interaction of L. rhamnosus GG and likely explains its ability to persist in the human intestinal tract longer than LC705 during an intervention trial. The presence of mucus-binding pili on the surface of a nonpathogenic Gram-positive bacterial strain reveals a previously undescribed mechanism for the interaction of selected probiotic lactobacilli with host tissues.


Subject(s)
Bacterial Proteins/genetics , Fimbriae, Bacterial/metabolism , Genomics/methods , Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus/genetics , Membrane Proteins/genetics , Mucus/metabolism , Bacterial Adhesion , Bacterial Proteins/metabolism , Cloning, Molecular , DNA, Bacterial/chemistry , DNA, Bacterial/genetics , Fimbriae Proteins/genetics , Fimbriae Proteins/metabolism , Humans , Immunoblotting , Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism , Intestinal Mucosa/ultrastructure , Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus/classification , Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus/metabolism , Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Microscopy, Immunoelectron , Models, Biological , Molecular Sequence Data , Phylogeny , Protein Binding , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Species Specificity
9.
Acta Paediatr ; 98(5): 817-22, 2009 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19183114

ABSTRACT

AIM: To investigate the prevalence of atopic disease among Finnish day care children and the relationship between atopy and environmental factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 594 day care children aged 1-6 years from Helsinki, Finland. Each child's history of atopic diseases and environmental exposure was collected in a questionnaire completed by the parents. RESULTS: The prevalence of diagnosed asthma was 0.9% for the 1-3-year olds and 5.5% for the 4-6-year olds, atopic eczema/dermatis was 16% in both groups, and allergic rhinitis 5% in the younger group, 9% in the older group. According to multivariable logistic regression models, breastfeeding (exclusive > or =4 months or partial > or =6 months) reduced the risk of atopic diseases (OR = 0.60; CI(95) 0.39-0.93, p = 0.021). Atopic diseases were more common in the oldest age group, 5-6-year olds, compared to the youngest, 1-2-year olds (OR = 2.18; CI(95) 1.14-4.15, p = 0.018). One parent with atopic disease increased the child's risk (OR = 1.89; CI(95) 1.20-2.97, p = 0.006), more so if both parents had a history (OR = 3.17; CI(95) 1.48-6.78, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Our results support the hypothesis that breastfeeding for at least six months may protect against atopic diseases. The child's greater age (5-6 years) and parental history of atopic diseases increased the risk of atopy.


Subject(s)
Breast Feeding/epidemiology , Child Day Care Centers/statistics & numerical data , Hypersensitivity/epidemiology , Animals , Animals, Domestic , Child , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Environment , Family Characteristics , Finland/epidemiology , Humans , Infant , Logistic Models , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Tobacco Smoke Pollution , Urban Population
10.
J Am Coll Nutr ; 27(4): 441-7, 2008 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18978162

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain LC705 and Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp shermanii strain JS in capsules on serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in mildly or moderately hypercholesterolemic men. METHODS: Thirty-eight basically healthy men, mean age 42 years (range 24-55), mean cholesterol 6.2 mmol/L (5.3-8.2 mmol/L), participated in this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, two-period crossover study with 4-week treatment periods. The subjects consumed daily two probiotic capsules containing viable Lactobacillus rhamnosus LC705 and Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp shermanii JS (2 x 10(10) colony forming units of each strain daily) or two placebo capsules. Serum lipids were assessed before the intervention, at the end of both 4-week treatment periods, and 2 weeks after the second treatment period. Dietary and lifestyle habits were carefully monitored. RESULTS: All the subjects completed the study, and the probiotic capsules were well tolerated. Dietary habits and the intake of energy and nutrients, such as saturated fatty acids and cholesterol, did not differ between the treatment groups. No changes in total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol or triglyceride levels were observed during the consumption of the probiotics compared to placebo. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus LC705 and Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp shermanii JS did not affect serum lipids.


Subject(s)
Hypercholesterolemia/therapy , Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus , Lipids/blood , Probiotics/therapeutic use , Propionibacterium , Adult , Analysis of Variance , Cross-Over Studies , Double-Blind Method , Feces/microbiology , Humans , Hypercholesterolemia/blood , Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus/isolation & purification , Male , Middle Aged , Propionibacterium/isolation & purification , Young Adult
11.
Int J Food Microbiol ; 128(2): 406-10, 2008 Dec 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18945506

ABSTRACT

The bacterial enzymes beta-glucosidase, beta-glucuronidase, and urease may contribute to the development of colon cancer by generating carcinogens. A reduction in the activity of these enzymes by certain lactic acid bacteria is considered to be beneficial. This study examined fecal beta-glucosidase, beta-glucuronidase, and urease activities during administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus LC705 (LC705) together with Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp shermanii JS (PJS). Thirty-eight healthy men participated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-period crossover study with treatment periods of 4 weeks. Subjects consumed daily bacterial or placebo capsules. Bacterial capsules contained viable LC705 and PJS (2x10(10) CFU of each strain daily). The activities of beta-glucosidase, beta-glucuronidase and urease, recovery of LC705 and PJS, and counts of total lactobacilli and propionibacteria were determined from feces. The mean fecal counts of total lactobacilli and propionibacteria as well as strains LC705 and PJS were significantly increased during the administration of bacteria (3.5-, 13-, 80- and 11-fold, respectively). beta-glucosidase activity decreased by 10% (P=0.18) and urease activity by 13% (P=0.16) during bacterial supplementation versus placebo. The change in beta-glucosidase activity was negatively correlated with the change in propionibacteria counts (R=-0.350, P=0.039), being -2.68 versus 0.94 nmol/min/mg protein in subjects with increased and unchanged/decreased propionibacteria, respectively (P=0.003). To conclude, the administration of LC705 and PJS was followed by an increase in the fecal counts of lactobacilli and propionibacteria and a decrease in the activity of beta-glucosidase with increasing counts of propionibacteria.


Subject(s)
Colon/microbiology , Colonic Neoplasms/prevention & control , Feces , Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus/physiology , Probiotics/administration & dosage , Propionibacterium/physiology , Adult , Colon/enzymology , Colonic Neoplasms/enzymology , Colonic Neoplasms/microbiology , Colony Count, Microbial , Cross-Over Studies , Double-Blind Method , Feces/enzymology , Feces/microbiology , Glucuronidase/antagonists & inhibitors , Glucuronidase/metabolism , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Urease/antagonists & inhibitors , Urease/metabolism , Young Adult , beta-Glucosidase/antagonists & inhibitors , beta-Glucosidase/metabolism
12.
Duodecim ; 123(15): 1795-7, 2007.
Article in Finnish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18020259
13.
Clin Nutr ; 26(3): 314-21, 2007 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17353072

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND & AIMS: To examine whether probiotics would reduce the occurrence or duration of acute otitis media (AOM), or the nasopharyngeal carriage of otitis pathogens in otitis-prone children. METHODS: During this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, 24-week intervention, 309 otitis-prone children (10 months-6 years) consumed either one probiotic capsule (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and LC705, Bifidobacterium breve 99 and Propionibacterium freudenreichii JS) (n=155) or placebo (n=154) daily. Clinical examinations were carried out and nasopharyngeal samples taken three times. Parents recorded the symptoms of upper respiratory infection (URI) in a diary. RESULTS: Probiotic treatment did not reduce the occurrence (probiotic vs. placebo: 72% vs. 65%, OR=1.48, 95% CI 0.87-2.52, p=n.s.) or the recurrence ( three) of AOM episodes (18% vs. 17%, OR=1.04, 95% CI 0.55-1.96, p=n.s.). The median duration of AOM episodes was 5.6 (IQR 3.5-9.4) vs. 6.0 (IQR 4.0-10.5) days, respectively (p= n.s.). There was a tendency showing a reduction in the occurrence of recurrent (4 to 6) respiratory infections in the probiotic group (OR for 4 URIs: 0.56, 95%CI 0.31-0.99, p=0.046; OR for 6 URIs: 0.59, 95% CI 0.34 to 1.03, p=n.s.). Probiotics did not affect the carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenzae, but increased the prevalence of Moraxella catarrhalis (OR=1.79, 95% CI 1.06-3.00, p=0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Probiotics did not prevent the occurrence of AOM or the nasopharyngeal carriage of otitis pathogens in otitis-prone children. A tendency showing a reduction in recurrent respiratory infections must be confirmed in further studies.


Subject(s)
Moraxella catarrhalis/growth & development , Nasopharynx/microbiology , Otitis Media/drug therapy , Otitis Media/epidemiology , Probiotics/therapeutic use , Acute Disease , Child , Child, Preschool , Double-Blind Method , Female , Haemophilus influenzae/drug effects , Haemophilus influenzae/growth & development , Haemophilus influenzae/isolation & purification , Humans , Incidence , Infant , Male , Moraxella catarrhalis/drug effects , Moraxella catarrhalis/isolation & purification , Otitis Media/microbiology , Recurrence , Respiratory Tract Infections/drug therapy , Respiratory Tract Infections/epidemiology , Respiratory Tract Infections/microbiology , Streptococcus pneumoniae/drug effects , Streptococcus pneumoniae/growth & development , Streptococcus pneumoniae/isolation & purification , Treatment Outcome
14.
Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol ; 70(4): 647-54, 2006 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16198005

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to examine and follow up the presence of respiratory viral and bacterial pathogens in the nasopharynx of otitis-prone children during the cold season and compare the findings with the child's respiratory symptoms. METHODS: We enrolled 121 otitis-prone children, aged 10 months to 4 years for a prospective study. The nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) were studied at the baseline and after 12 and 24 weeks for respiratory viruses and at the baseline and after 24 weeks for bacteria. Presence of picorna(rhino-entero-parecho)-, influenza-, adenoviruses and Mycoplasma pneumoniae was detected by PCR. NPS specimens were cultured for Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Moraxella catarrhalis. Clinical data (the rate of respiratory symptom days, otitis media, tympanometry findings, day-care attendance and the number of siblings) were compared with microbiological data. RESULTS: Rhinovirus was found in 30% of the samples at the baseline, in 8% and in 19% of the samples after 12 and 24 weeks, respectively. Enterovirus was detected in 19% of the samples, in 21% and in 12% of samples after 12 and 24 weeks, respectively. Picornavirus positivity correlated with the respiratory symptoms but not with the number of otitis media or with abnormal tympanometry. Two samples were adeno- and three samples influenzavirus positive. Parechovirus and M. pneumoniae were negative in all samples. Rhinovirus positivity correlated with that of M. catarrhalis and S. pneumonia but not with H. influenzae. Microbiological positivity was not significantly associated with the type of day-care. CONCLUSIONS: Picornaviruses as well as bacteria were commonly found in the nasopharynx of otitis-prone children during the cold season, even in the absence of clinical symptoms.


Subject(s)
Bacteria/isolation & purification , Nasopharynx/microbiology , Nasopharynx/virology , Otitis Media , Viruses/isolation & purification , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Prospective Studies
15.
Scand J Infect Dis ; 36(1): 6-9, 2004.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15000551

ABSTRACT

Over 70% of children currently suffer from acute otitis media (AOM) before their second birthday, and incidence is increasing rapidly. Recent studies have raised concern about inadequate use of diagnostic equipment and insufficient training in diagnoses. We recruited 309 children with a history of recurrent otitis media who were followed for 6 months during 1 infectious season. A study physician examined and treated any child whose parents suspected AOM. Pneumatic otoscope and tympanometry were used. Number of AOM diagnoses during the study was compared with AOM diagnoses during the preceding 6-month period. AOM diagnoses decreased 56%, and nearly 80% of children had fewer episodes of AOM discovered than during the preceding 6 months. AOM is frequently over-diagnosed. Use of proper diagnostic criteria, the pneumatic otoscope, and tympanometry can help correct diagnosis, and thereby reduce incidence of AOM.


Subject(s)
Clinical Competence , Disease Susceptibility/epidemiology , Otitis Media/diagnosis , Otitis Media/epidemiology , Otolaryngology/methods , Acute Disease , Age Distribution , Child, Preschool , Cohort Studies , Confidence Intervals , Female , Finland/epidemiology , Humans , Incidence , Infant , Male , Otolaryngology/instrumentation , Probability , Recurrence , Severity of Illness Index , Sex Distribution
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