Related Experiment Videos
Ingested probiotics reduce nasal colonization with pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus
Ulrich Glück1, Jan-Olaf Gebbers
1Suva, Swiss National Accident Insurance Institute, Division of Occupational Medicine, Lucerne, Switzerland. u_gluck@yahoo.de
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|January 24, 2003
Summary
Regular probiotic consumption significantly reduced potentially pathogenic bacteria (PPB) in the nose. This study suggests probiotics may be a viable strategy for managing upper respiratory tract bacterial colonization.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- The nose serves as a reservoir for potentially pathogenic bacteria (PPB), including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, beta-hemolytic streptococci, and Haemophilus influenzae.
- Antiseptic regimens are critical for infection control in high-risk patients (e.g., post-surgery, diabetic, hemodialysis, ICU, immunocompromised).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of probiotic ingestion on nasal bacterial flora.
- To determine if probiotics can reduce the carriage of potentially pathogenic bacteria in the nose.
Main Methods:
- A 3-week open, prospective trial involving 209 volunteers.
- Participants consumed either a probiotic fermented milk drink (n=108) or standard yogurt (n=101) daily.
- Nasal microbial flora were analyzed at baseline, day 21, and day 28; analysis was blinded.
Main Results:
- A significant 19% reduction in nasal PPB was observed in the probiotic group (P < 0.001), but not in the yogurt group.
- The reduction in PPB was primarily attributed to a significant decrease in gram-positive bacteria (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Regular probiotic intake can effectively reduce potentially pathogenic bacteria in the upper respiratory tract.
- Findings suggest a connection between gut-associated lymphoid tissue and the upper respiratory tract in modulating bacterial presence.