BioGaia probiotic combo may help kids recover faster from upper respiratory infections

14 Apr 2021 --- A combination of BioGaia’s probiotic strains Limosilactobacillus reuteri ATCC PTA 5289 and DSM 17938 may help reduce fever and sore throat pain in children with pharyngitis and tonsillitis – the most common acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in children under five years old.

A recent randomized, controlled study published in the journal Beneficial Microbes, reports significant fever reduction and severity of sore throat in children who took the probiotics compared to a placebo group.

“Until now, clinical practice guidelines in many countries only recommend the management of fever and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for ARIs,” Dr. Gianfranco Grompone, chief scientific officer at BioGaia, tells NutritionInsight. 

“However, studies have shown that some probiotics could decrease the frequency and number of days with ARIs.”

The BioGaia-backed study therefore aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the two probiotic strains L. reuteri ATCC PTA 5289 and DSM 17938 to reduce the duration and severity of ARI symptoms. 

“The strains were selected due to their antiviral and antimicrobial properties and their effects on the immune system and mucosal integrity. Both strains have the ability to produce reuterin, a substance with both antiviral and antimicrobial activity,” details Grompone. 

“L. reuteri strains have also been reported to increase the concentration of secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA), which could be an important factor in the defense against pathogens.” 

Children in the probiotic group had a significant reduction of fever from day two.
Testing efficacy 
Seventy children between 6 months and 5 years with pharyngitis or tonsillitis were randomized to a probiotic supplement containing L. reuteri ATCC PTA 5289 and L. reuteri DSM 17938 or placebo.

Participants took five drops twice a day for ten days as adjuvants to the use of NSAIDs. The dose of the probiotic supplement was 4x108 CFU/day.

The main outcomes were the duration and severity of acute respiratory symptoms. 

The results showed that the children in the probiotic group had a significant reduction of fever from day two and lower sore throat severity from day three. 

The secondary outcomes were changes in salivary IgA and inflammatory biomarkers. 

There were also significant differences in the days with runny nose, nasal congestion, days of non-programmed visits to the medical office or emergency department, levels in tumoral necrosis factor-alpha (used to measure inflammation) and related costs of treatment were also observed in the L. reuteri group. 

“The importance of this study lies not only in the clinical impact observed but also in the reduction of related costs,” says Dr. Pedro Gutiérrez-Castrellón, from the Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González in Mexico, who co-authored the study. 

“Considering the frequency of acute respiratory infections observed in young children and the impact on their quality of life, [these probiotic strains] undoubtedly add a significant value from a public health point of view,” he says. 

Furthering research
This study is another feather in the cap for Sweden-based BioGaia, which has supported over 200 published clinical trials on the company's probiotics. 

In ongoing research, the company is studying the effect of L. reuteri DSM 17938 in combination with vitamin D to help the immune system fight against SARS-CoV-2 in the context of COVID-19. The study is being conducted in Örebro in Sweden.

"We are also pursuing our clinical and preclinical programs to understand how our L. reuteri strains train our immune system and what the mechanisms behind this are," adds Grompone.

In January, the company launched a complete adult health portfolio in Sweden powered by probiotics with its BioGaia Osfortis for bone health and BioGaia Prodentis. 

The company has also announced its strategic plan to market direct to consumers, as digital purchasing becomes the new norm. 

By Missy Green