Speaker:Dr Nicholas West, Research Fellow Infectious Diseases and Immunology Research GroupGriffith University

Probiotics and children – a good mix?

MicrobiotaColonised by birth:

- Method of delivery;- Breastfeeding;- Exposure to antibiotics.

Stable community ~ 3yrs

Diet

Carlotta De Filippo et al. PNAS 2010;107:14691-14696

Microbiota

Nicholson, Science, Vol 335, 8 June 2012

- 500 to 1000 species;

- 1 human cell to 100,00 bacterial cells;

- 100 times more genetic information.

WHO guidelines (2015)Probiotics recommended for (1) pregnant women at high risk of having an allergic child, (2) women who are breastfeeding a high-risk infant, and (3) infants at high risk of developing allergy; there is likely a net benefit resulting primarily from prevention of eczema. No guidance on specific probiotic strains or dosage.

Eczema and L. rhamnosus HN001™Differential effects of two probiotics on the risks of eczema and atopy associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms to Toll-like receptors. Marlow G, etal.Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2015 May;26(3):262-71.

Differential modification of genetic susceptibility to childhood eczema by two probiotics.Morgan AR, etalClin Exp Allergy. 2014 Oct;44(10):1255-65.

Early supplementation with Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 reduces eczema prevalence to 6 years: does it also reduce atopic sensitization? Wickens K, etal.Clin Exp Allergy. 2013 Sep;43(9):1048-57.

A protective effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 against eczema in the first 2 years of life persists to age 4 years.Wickens K, etal.Clin Exp Allergy. 2012 Jul;42(7):1071-9.

A differential effect of 2 probiotics in the prevention of eczema and atopy: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.Wickens K, etal. Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008 Oct;122(4):788-94.