Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in the middle ear after randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled oral administration

Laura Tapiovaara; Liisa Lehtoranta; Elisa Swanljung; Harri Mäkivuokko; Sanna Laakso; Merja Roivainen; Riitta Korpela; Anne Pitkäranta

doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2014.07.011

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in the middle ear after randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled oral administration

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2014 Oct;78(10):1637-41. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2014.07.011. Epub 2014 Jul 18.

Authors

Laura Tapiovaara¹, Liisa Lehtoranta², Elisa Swanljung³, Harri Mäkivuokko⁴, Sanna Laakso⁵, Merja Roivainen⁶, Riitta Korpela⁷, Anne Pitkäranta⁸

Affiliations

¹ Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Helsinki University Central Hospital and University of Helsinki, PO Box 220, FI-00290 Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: [email protected].
² University of Helsinki, Institute of Biomedicine, Pharmacology, Medical Nutrition Physiology, PO Box 64, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: [email protected].
³ Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Helsinki University Central Hospital and University of Helsinki, PO Box 220, FI-00290 Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁴ Valio Limited, PO Box 10, Valio, FI-00039 Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁵ Mobidiag Limited, Keilaranta 16A, FI-02150 Espoo, Finland. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁶ Virology Unit, Division of Health Protection, Department of Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), PO Box 30, 00271 Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁷ University of Helsinki, Institute of Biomedicine, Pharmacology, Medical Nutrition Physiology, PO Box 64, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁸ Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Helsinki University Central Hospital and University of Helsinki, PO Box 220, FI-00290 Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 25085073
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2014.07.011

Abstract

Objective: Probiotics may have potency in reducing upper respiratory infections, in particular in children. We studied findings from middle ear effusion (MEE) samples after randomized, placebo-controlled 3-week oral administration of probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (L.

Gg) methods: 40 children referred to tympanostomy were randomized to receive either L. GG or placebo (1:1) for 3 weeks before surgery. MEE samples were collected from 13 children (in total, 25 samples, 19 from the L. GG group and 6 from the placebo group) and analyzed for L. GG and pathogenic bacterial and viral findings.

Results: L. GG was present in 5 of the 25 MEE samples (4 from the L. GG group). Haemophilus infuenzae was the most prominent pathogen in 12 samples (10 from the L. GG group). Rhinovirus was present in 12 samples (10 from the L. GG group) and enterovirus in 1 sample (L. GG group).

Conclusions: L. GG was present in the middle ear of children suffering from otitis media with effusion, but did not reduce the presence of pathogenic bacteria or viruses.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02110732.

Keywords: Children; Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG; Middle ear effusion; Otitis media; Probiotics; Tympanostomy.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Administration, Oral
Child
Child, Preschool
Double-Blind Method
Ear, Middle / microbiology
Exudates and Transudates
Humans
Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus / chemistry*
Male
Otitis Media with Effusion / drug therapy*
Otitis Media with Effusion / microbiology
Probiotics / administration & dosage*
Probiotics / therapeutic use

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT02110732