L. reuteri probiotic strains may be effective adjuvants for treatment of acute respiratory infections in children

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A recent study published in Beneficial Microbes¹ found that the combination of Limosilactobacillus reuteri ATCC PTA 5289 and L. reuteri DSM 17938 (supplied by BioGaia AB, based in Stockholm, Sweden) may help reduce symptoms of pharyngitis and tonsillitis, which are the most common acute respiratory infections (ARI) in children five years of age and younger. In the randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 70 children with pharyngitis and tonsillitis were randomized to receive either the probiotic formula or placebo as drops orally for 10 days as adjuvants to non-steroidal and anti-inflammatory drugs.

The primary outcomes observed by the researchers were the duration and severity of ARI, and the secondary outcomes were the changes in salivary immunoglobulin A and inflammatory biomarkers. Results showed that at the end of the study, there were significant differences in the duration of respiratory symptoms, days of fever, severity of sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, days of non-programmed visits to medical offices or emergency departments, and related costs, in favor of the subjects taking the probiotics. Children taking L. reuteri ATCC PTA 5289 and L. reuteri DSM 17938 had no fever on day two and subsequent days, as well as significant reductions in TNF-alpha, demonstrating anti-inflammatory benefits.

“Upper respiratory tract infections are very common and a global public health problem. The positive results of this study should therefore be valuable for many parents and pediatricians – and for the numerous children in pain,” said Isabelle Ducellier, CEO of BioGaia, in a press release

Reference

1. Maya-Barrios A et al. “Limosilactobacillus reuteri ATCC PTA 5289 and DSM 17938 as adjuvants to improve evolution of pharyngitis/tonsillitis in children: randomised controlled trial.” Beneficial Microbes, vol. 12, no. 2 (2021): 137-145