Probiotics and exacerbations

Other than the prevention/treatment of C Diff, looks like these buggers may help prevent exacerbations. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pediatr Pulmonol. 2010 Jun;45(6):536-40. doi: 10.1002/ppul.21138.

Probiotic supplementation affects pulmonary exacerbations in patients with cystic fibrosis: a pilot study.

Weiss B, Bujanover Y, Yahav Y, Vilozni D, Fireman E, Efrati O.

Source

Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Safra Children's Hospital, Tel-Hashomer, Israel. weissb@sheba.health.gov.il

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Probiotics reduce intestinal inflammation in, and Lactobacillus GG (LGG) reduces pulmonary exacerbation rate cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. We intended to determine the effect of a mixed probiotic preparation on pulmonary exacerbations and inflammatory characteristics of the sputum in CF patients.

STUDY DESIGN:

A prospective pilot study of 10 CF patients with mild-moderate lung disease and Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization, treated with probiotics for 6 months. Pulmonary function tests (PFT's), sputum cultures with semi-quantitative bacterial analysis, and sputum neutrophil count and interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels were compared to pre-treatment and post-treatment values. The rate of pulmonary exacerbations was compared to 2 years prior to the study.

RESULTS:

The exacerbation rate was significantly reduced in comparison to the previous 2 years and to 6 months post-treatment (P = 0.002). PFT's have not changed at the end of treatment and during 6 months post-treatment. No change in sputum bacteria, neutrophil count, and IL-8 levels was observed.

CONCLUSION:

Probiotics reduce pulmonary exacerbations rate in patients with CF. Probiotics may have a preventive potential for pulmonary deterioration in CF patients.

PMID:

20503277

 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20503277