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Published on: January 27, 2019

Bifidobacterium lactis XLTG11 Reduces Eczema and Infections in Infants: A Randomized Trial

Yanhan Yuan1, Xiaotong Yin1, Jingjing Liu2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.

QJM : Monthly Journal of the Association of Physicians
|June 17, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis XLTG11 supplementation in infants reduced eczema and respiratory infections. This probiotic intervention reshaped the gut microbiome, enhancing immune function and preventing common childhood illnesses.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric immunology and microbiology
  • Gut microbiome research
  • Probiotic and prebiotic interventions

Background:

  • Early-life gut microbiota is crucial for immune development and disease susceptibility.
  • Microbial dysbiosis is linked to increased allergies and infections in children.
  • Strain-specific probiotic research is needed to validate clinical benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the efficacy of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis XLTG11 in preventing eczema and respiratory infections in young children.
  • To investigate the probiotic's impact on gut microbial composition and immune markers.
  • To explore the relationship between probiotic use and clinical outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 352 infants and young children.
  • Participants received either XLTG11 (1x10^10 CFU/day) or placebo for 180 days.
  • Outcomes included eczema incidence, respiratory/gastrointestinal symptoms, growth, microbiome analysis (16S rRNA), and immune biomarkers.

Main Results:

  • XLTG11 significantly reduced eczema (p=0.017) and physician-confirmed pneumonia (RR=0.40, p=0.030) incidence.
  • Improved stool consistency (p=0.018) was observed without affecting growth.
  • Microbiome analysis showed increased beneficial bacteria (e.g., Faecalibacterium, Akkermansia) and altered metabolic pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Daily B. lactis XLTG11 supplementation is safe and effective in reducing eczema and respiratory infection risk in early childhood.
  • The probiotic modulates the gut microbiome and enhances mucosal immunity.
  • XLTG11 shows promise as a preventive strategy for childhood allergies and infections through gut-immune modulation.
Abstract

Keywords:
Bifidobacterium lactis XLTG11eczemamicrobiomeprobioticsrandomized controlled trialrespiratory infection

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