title: Effect of a probiotic preparation (VSL#3) on induction and maintenance of remission in children with ulcerative colitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Several probiotic compounds have shown promise in the therapy of ulcerative colitis (UC). However, a strong sustained benefit remains to be seen. Uncontrolled pilot studies suggest that a probiotic preparation (VSL#3) maintains remission in mild to moderate UC and reduces active inflammation in adult patients. Aims of our prospective, 1-year, placebo-controlled, double-blind study were to assess the efficacy of VSL#3 on induction and maintenance of remission and to evaluate the safety and tolerability of the probiotic preparation therapy in children with active UC.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 29 consecutive patients (mean age: 9.8 years; range: 1.7-16.1 years; female/male: 13/16) with newly diagnosed UC were randomized to receive either VSL#3 (weight-based dose, range: 450-1,800 billion bacteria/day; n=14) or an identical placebo (n=15) in conjunction with concomitant steroid induction and mesalamine maintenance treatment. Children were prospectively evaluated at four time points: within 1 month, 2 months, 6 months, and 1 year after diagnosis or at the time of relapse. Lichtiger colitis activity index and a physician's global assessment were used to measure disease activity. At baseline, within 6 months and 12 months or at the time of relapse, all patients were assessed endoscopically and histologically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 29 patients responded to the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) induction therapy. Remission was achieved in 13 patients (92.8%) treated with VSL#3 and IBD therapy and in 4 patients (36.4%) treated with placebo and IBD therapy (P<0.001). Overall, 3 of 14 (21.4%) patients treated with VSL#3 and IBD therapy and 11 of 15 (73.3%) patients treated with placebo and IBD therapy relapsed within 1 year of follow-up (P=0.014; RR=0.32; CI=0.025-0.773; NNT=2). All 3 patients treated with VSL#3 and 6 of 11 (54.5%) patients treated with placebo relapsed within 6 months of diagnosis. At 6 months, 12 months, or at time of relapse, endoscopic and histological scores were significantly lower in the VSL#3 group than in the placebo group (P<0.05). There were no biochemical or clinical adverse events related to VSL#3.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first pediatric, randomized, placebo-controlled trial that suggests the efficacy and safety of a highly concentrated mixture of probiotic bacterial strains (VSL#3) in active UC and demonstrates its role in maintenance of remission.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Erasmo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Miele
authors.forename: Filomena
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pascarella
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giannetti
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Quaglietta
authors.forename: Robert N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Baldassano
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Staiano
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003113:Colonoscopy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents