Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
10:36

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage

Published on: January 27, 2019

[Probiotics in allergic diseases of childhood]

A Hauer1

  • 1Klin. Abt. für Allgemeine Pädiatrie Univ.-Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendheilkunde, Graz. almuthe.hauer@meduni-graz.at

MMW Fortschritte Der Medizin
|September 26, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Probiotics, beneficial gut bacteria, may prevent atopic dermatitis in infants. Early probiotic exposure in the first six months reduced the incidence of this allergic condition by half in a two-year study.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Pediatrics

Context:

  • Rising incidence of childhood allergies in industrialized nations linked to the "hygiene hypothesis."
  • Western lifestyles may lead to insufficient microbial exposure in early childhood, impacting immune system development.
  • The endogenous intestinal flora plays a role in stimulating infant immune systems.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the potential of probiotics in preventing and treating atopic dermatitis in infants.
  • To assess the impact of early probiotic supplementation on the development of allergies.

Summary:

  • Infants at risk for atopy receiving a specific probiotic for the first six months showed a 50% reduction in atopic dermatitis incidence by age two compared to a control group.
  • Probiotics, defined as apathogenic organisms in human intestinal flora, demonstrated a similar immune-stimulating effect to endogenous flora.
  • Therapeutic effects of probiotics were observed in existing cases of atopic dermatitis.

Impact:

  • Suggests a promising role for probiotics in preventing infant allergies, specifically atopic dermatitis.
  • Highlights the potential of modulating gut microbiota for immune system development and allergy prevention.
  • Opens avenues for further research into probiotic applications for other allergic manifestations.

More Related Videos

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels05:31

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition for which new therapeutic avenues, including anti-inflammatory drugs like mast cell stabilizers and anti-IgE treatments, continue to be developed.
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
Probiotics01:22

Probiotics

Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms that confer health benefits by modulating the gut microbiota. The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex microbial ecosystem, and the balance of this microbiota is crucial for digestive and systemic health. Among the most extensively studied and utilized probiotics are species formerly classified within the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These organisms not only naturally colonize the human gut but are also consumed through...
Allergic Reactions02:06

Allergic Reactions

Overview
Asthma I: Introduction01:28

Asthma I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by variable airflow obstruction and heightened bronchial responsiveness to a wide range of triggers. The underlying inflammation leads to airway swelling, mucus hypersecretion, and smooth muscle constriction, all of which narrow the airway lumen and impede airflow. Clinically, asthma presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, symptoms that typically vary in intensity and...
Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers01:19

Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers

Leukotriene modifiers, or cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonists, are medications used to manage chronic asthma. These agents target specific inflammatory mediators produced during arachidonic acid metabolism, an essential process in generating inflammation in the body.
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics01:21

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics

Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...