title: Effect of probiotic Lactobacillus strains in children with atopic dermatitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent studies suggest that oral bacteriotherapy with probiotics might be useful in the management of atopic dermatitis (AD).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the clinical and anti-inflammatory effect of probiotic supplementation in children with AD.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, 2 probiotic Lactobacillus strains (lyophilized Lactobacillus rhamnosus 19070-2 and Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 122460) were given in combination for 6 weeks to 1- to 13-year-old children with AD. The patients' evaluations were registered after each intervention (ie, better, unchanged, or worse). The clinical severity of the eczema was evaluated by using the scoring atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) score. As inflammatory markers, eosinophil cationic protein in serum and cytokine production by PBMCs were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After active treatment, 56% of the patients experienced improvement of the eczema, whereas only 15% believed their symptoms had improved after placebo (P =.001). The total SCORAD index, however, did not change significantly. The extent of the eczema decreased during active treatment from a mean of 18.2% to 13.7% (P =.02). The treatment response was more pronounced in allergic patients (at least one positive skin prick test response and elevated IgE levels), and in this group the SCORAD score decreased (P =.02 compared with nonallergic patients). During active treatment, serum eosinophil cationic protein levels decreased (P =.03). No significant changes in the production of the cytokines IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, or IFN-gamma were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A combination of L rhamnosus 19070-2 and L reuteri DSM 122460 was beneficial in the management of AD. The effect was more pronounced in patients with a positive skin prick test response and increased IgE levels.
authors.affiliation: Research Department of Human Nutrition and the LMC Center for Advanced Food Studies, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Vibeke
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rosenfeldt
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Benfeldt
authors.forename: Susanne Dam
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Kim Fleischer
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Michaelsen
authors.forename: Dorthe Lisbeth
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Jeppesen
authors.forename: Niels Henrik
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Valerius
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paerregaard
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D047091:Eosinophil Granule Proteins; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007223:Infant; D007778:Lactobacillus; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D019936:Probiotics; D012260:Ribonucleases
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D001798:Blood Proteins; D016207:Cytokines; D047091:Eosinophil Granule Proteins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D012260:Ribonucleases