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Published on: April 28, 2014
The Effectiveness of Heat-Killed Pediococcus acidilactici K15 in Preventing Respiratory Tract Infections in Preterm
Kenichi Takeshita1, Haruka Hishiki1, Haruka Takei1
1Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi 260-8670, Chiba, Japan.
Insights
This pilot study investigated postbiotics for preventing respiratory infections in preterm infants. While heat-killed Pediococcus acidilactici K15 showed no overall effectiveness, it may benefit infants with older siblings. Further research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Preterm infants discharged from neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) face high risks of severe viral respiratory tract infections (RTIs).
- Postbiotics are emerging as potential agents to reduce RTIs in young children.
- The safety and efficacy of postbiotics for RTI prevention in preterm infants remain unestablished.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of postbiotics, specifically heat-killed Pediococcus acidilactici K15, for preventing RTIs in preterm infants.
- To assess the impact of K15 on febrile days and gut microbiota composition.
Main Methods:
- A pilot, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted.
- 41 preterm infants (<36 weeks gestation) discharged from the NICU received daily K15 or placebo for one year.
- Fecal samples were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in mean febrile days between the K15 and placebo groups (4.5 vs. 6.6 days).
- Subgroup analysis indicated a potential benefit in children with older siblings.
- Faecalimonas genus enrichment in the K15 group, possibly enhancing butyrate production.
- K15 intake was associated with no adverse events.
Conclusions:
- The study did not provide clear evidence for K15's effectiveness in preventing fever and RTIs in preterm infants.
- A larger clinical trial is recommended to confirm these findings and explore potential benefits in specific subgroups.
Background:
Preterm infants discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) have a risk of severe viral respiratory tract infections (RTIs). Researchers have recently reported the potential use of postbiotics to decrease RTIs in young children. However, the safety and efficacy of postbiotics for preventing RTIs in preterm infants is not yet established.
Methods:
We conducted a pilot double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of the heat-killed lactic acid bacterium Pediococcus acidilactici K15 in 41 preterm infants born at <36 weeks of gestation and discharged from the NICU at Chiba University Hospital.
Results:
Following once-daily K15 or placebo treatment for one year, no significant differences were found in the mean number of febrile days (4.5 [1.5-7.4] days vs. 6.6 [2.6-10.5] days). The subgroup analysis showed that the effect of treatment on the number of febrile days was more prominent in the K15 group than in the placebo group, among children with older siblings. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing of fecal samples illustrated that the genus Faecalimonas was enriched in the K15 group, potentially promoting butyrate production by butyrate-producing bacteria. No adverse events were found to be associated with K15 intake.
Conclusion:
There were no clear data to show the effectiveness of K15 in preventing fever and RTIs in preterm babies during infancy. A larger clinical trial is warranted.
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