Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Investigating the Effects of Probiotics on Pneumococcal Colonization Using an In Vitro Adherence Assay
09:20

Investigating the Effects of Probiotics on Pneumococcal Colonization Using an In Vitro Adherence Assay

Published on: April 28, 2014

Treatment of acute otitis media with probiotics in otitis-prone children-a double-blind, placebo-controlled

Katja Hatakka1, Karin Blomgren, Sara Pohjavuori

  • 1Valio Ltd, R&D, FIN-00039 Helsinki, Finland. katja.hatakka@valio.fi

Clinical Nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland)
|March 14, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Probiotics did not prevent acute otitis media (AOM) or pathogen carriage in children prone to ear infections. However, a potential reduction in recurrent respiratory infections warrants further investigation.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Microbiome research
  • Clinical immunology

Background:

  • Recurrent acute otitis media (AOM) is common in young children.
  • Otitis-prone children often carry specific pathogens in their nasopharynx.
  • Probiotics are explored for their potential to modulate the microbiome and immune responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if probiotics can decrease the incidence or duration of AOM.
  • To assess the effect of probiotics on nasopharyngeal carriage of otitis pathogens.
  • To evaluate probiotic impact on upper respiratory infections (URIs) in susceptible children.

Main Methods:

  • A 24-week double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial involving 309 children (10 months-6 years).
  • Participants received a daily probiotic capsule (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, LC705, Bifidobacterium breve 99, Propionibacterium freudenreichii JS) or placebo.
  • Clinical assessments, nasopharyngeal sampling, and parental URI symptom diaries were utilized.

Main Results:

  • Probiotic use did not significantly reduce AOM occurrence, recurrence, or duration.
  • No significant impact on Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenzae carriage was observed.
  • A trend towards reduced recurrent respiratory infections was noted (p=0.046 for 4 URIs), but Moraxella catarrhalis prevalence increased (p=0.028).

Conclusions:

  • Probiotics are ineffective in preventing AOM or pathogen carriage in otitis-prone children.
  • The observed tendency for reduced recurrent respiratory infections requires confirmation in larger studies.
  • Further research is needed to understand the complex effects of probiotics on pediatric respiratory health.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage10:36

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage

Published on: January 27, 2019

Related Concept Videos

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...
Tonsillitis II: Management01:26

Tonsillitis II: Management

This lesson will focus on the different treatment options for managing tonsillitis, which typically depend on the cause and severity.
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
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...
Acute Pharyngitis01:30

Acute Pharyngitis

Introduction
Acute pharyngitis is the inflammation of the back of the throat (pharynx), commonly resulting in a sore throat. It is a frequently encountered condition that prompts individuals to seek medical advice.
Classification
Acute pharyngitis can be categorized based on its underlying cause:
Treating Helicobacter pylori in Peptic Ulcers: Antimicrobial Therapy01:16

Treating Helicobacter pylori in Peptic Ulcers: Antimicrobial Therapy

Helicobacter pylori, a resilient gram-negative bacterium, can thrive in the stomach's harsh, acidic environment. Infection with H. pylori leads to a cascade of events within the stomach lining. One of the critical disruptions caused by this bacterium is the interference with somatostatin production, a hormone responsible for regulating acid secretion. This interference tips the balance, escalating acid secretion and diminishing bicarbonate levels. This imbalance compromises the defensive...