title: Probiotic supplementation affects pulmonary exacerbations in patients with cystic fibrosis: a pilot study.
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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Probiotics reduce pulmonary exacerbations rate in patients with CF. Probiotics may have a preventive potential for pulmonary deterioration in CF patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Safra Children's Hospital, Tel-Hashomer, Israel. weissb@sheba.health.gov.il
authors.forename: Batia
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: Yoram
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bujanover
authors.forename: Yaakov
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yahav
authors.forename: Daphna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vilozni
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fireman
authors.forename: Ori
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Efrati
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000150:complications*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013183:Sputum / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D016209:Interleukin-8