Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 1, 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

12.7K

Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG DSM 33156 effects on pathogen defence in the upper respiratory tract: a randomised,

A Damholt1, M K Keller1, K Baranowski2

  • 1Chr. Hansen A/S, Kogle allé 6, Hørsholm 2970, Denmark.

Beneficial Microbes
|December 13, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG DSM 33156 did not significantly reduce upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in children. However, the probiotic may alleviate URTI symptom severity in children, suggesting a potential benefit for symptom management.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Microbiology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are common in children, leading to significant morbidity and healthcare utilization.
  • Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG DSM 33156 has demonstrated immune and gastrointestinal benefits in prior studies.
  • Previous research suggests L. rhamnosus GG DSM 33156 may reduce URTI incidence and symptoms in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG DSM 33156 in reducing the incidence of URTIs in children.
  • To assess the impact of L. rhamnosus GG DSM 33156 on URTI symptom severity and quality of life in pediatric participants.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 619 children aged 2-6 years over a 16-week period.
  • Daily health status and URTI episodes were reported by parents/guardians and confirmed by general practitioners.
  • Ward's hierarchical clustering was used to analyze quality of life endpoints and identify symptom patterns.

Main Results:

  • The trial did not meet its primary endpoint of significantly reducing the incidence of URTIs diagnosed by a general practitioner.
  • No secondary efficacy endpoints were met, indicating no statistically significant difference in overall URTI occurrence.
  • Cluster analysis revealed that children consuming L. rhamnosus GG DSM 33156 experienced alleviated URTI symptoms, particularly in clusters with less severe URTI characteristics.

Conclusions:

  • Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG DSM 33156 did not significantly prevent upper respiratory tract infections in the studied pediatric population.
  • The probiotic may offer a benefit in alleviating the severity of symptoms experienced by children during URTIs.
  • Further research could explore the specific mechanisms and patient subgroups that benefit most from L. rhamnosus GG DSM 33156 for symptom management.

Keywords:
L. rhamnosus GG DSM 33156probioticsquality of lifeupper respiratory tract infection (URTI)

More Related Videos

Transformation of Probiotic Yeast and Their Recovery from Gastrointestinal Immune Tissues Following Oral Gavage in Mice12:12

Transformation of Probiotic Yeast and Their Recovery from Gastrointestinal Immune Tissues Following Oral Gavage in Mice

Published on: February 8, 2016

12.6K
Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage10:36

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage

Published on: January 27, 2019

19.9K

Related Concept Videos

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:
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...
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...
Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial Gastroenteritis

Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease01:29

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...