Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in adenoid tissue: Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Conclusion: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (L.GG) was present in all adenoids of children receiving the L. GG product. However, since L.GG was also found from the placebo group, one cannot confirm its effect on the occurrence of rhinovirus (RV) or enterovirus (EV). Objectives: The present study was conducted to determine whether a 3-week oral consumption of L.GG would lead to presence of the probiotic in adenoid tissue. Furthermore, nasopharyngeal RV and EV findings and symptom data were investigated. Method: The tissue samples were collected from 40 children aged 1–5 years about to undergo adenotomy due to recurrent acute/secretory otitis media, chronic rhinitis, or recurrent sinusitis after a 3-week daily consumption of L.GG (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20). Strain-specific real-time PCR was used to detect RV, EV, and L.GG in adenoid tissue. Results: L.GG was recovered in the adenoid sample in 100% of children in the L.GG group and in 76% in the placebo group (p = 0.07). Both RV and EV were found in 31% of children in the L.GG group and in 18% of children in the placebo group (p = 0.67). The majority of the positive samples were positive for both RV and EV. Study diaries showed no differences in symptoms between the groups.

Keywords:

• L.GG
• nasopharyngeal tonsil
• probiotics
• respiratory virus

Acknowledgements

We thank the volunteers, children and parents for making this study possible. We also thank study nurses Tiina Puttonen, Eija Nenye-Lehtonen, and Leena Juvonen for practical assistance; Timo Pessi for statistical analyses; Svetlana Kaijalainen for viral PCR analyses; and Quantifire/Savcor Forest Oy for L.GG analyses. This study was supported by grants from the Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation and a special governmental subsidy for health sciences in Finland. The study compounds were provided by Valio Ltd.

Declaration of interest: Harri Mäkivuokko was employed by Valio Ltd at the time of the intervention. The other authors report no conflicts of interest.