Related Experiment Video For Bronchiectasis
Updated: Jun 28, 2025

Investigating the Effects of Probiotics on Pneumococcal Colonization Using an In Vitro Adherence Assay
Published on: April 28, 2014
Effects of Probiotics on Clinical Manifestations of Bronchiectasis: A Randomized, Triple Blinded, Placebo-Controlled
Ali Alavi Foumani1, Alireza Jafari1,2, Azita Tangestani Nejad1
1Inflammatory Lung Disease Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Razi Hospital, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
Background:
Bronchiectasis is a condition characterized by abnormal and permanent bronchial constriction that leads to sputum production and bronchial infection. The current study was done to evaluate the effects of symbiotic probiotics on the clinical manifestations and exacerbation of bronchiectasis.
Materials And Methods:
26 patients in the placebo group (A) and 24 patients in the probiotic group (B) were allocated. In group A, patients took the placebo capsules two times daily for six months. In group B, patients took the LactoCare two times daily for six months.
Results:
The mean age of patients was 55.73±13.62 (group A) and 54.5±12.59 years (group B). Most of the patients had consumed azithromycin in both groups. The current study demonstrated there was no statistically significant difference between the decreased rate of pulmonary exacerbations in both groups. However, a decreasing trend was shown in the rate of pulmonary exacerbations without hospitalization (P=0.610). Also, there was a decreasing trend in the rate of pulmonary exacerbations leading to hospitalization (P=0.956). The most frequent etiologic pathogen was Pseudomonas sp. FEV1 and FVC/FEV1 ratios were higher in group B than in group A. However, there was no statistically significant difference between groups A and B (P=0.908 vs 0.403).
Conclusion:
The symbiotic probiotics were not effective in the clinical improvement of bronchiectasis, consumption of antibiotics, the rate of pulmonary exacerbations with or without hospitalization, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC, and microbiological pattern.
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