title: The ProPrems trial: investigating the effects of probiotics on late onset sepsis in very preterm infants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Late onset sepsis is a frequent complication of prematurity associated with increased mortality and morbidity. The commensal bacteria of the gastrointestinal tract play a key role in the development of healthy immune responses. Healthy term infants acquire these commensal organisms rapidly after birth. However, colonisation in preterm infants is adversely affected by delivery mode, antibiotic treatment and the intensive care environment. Altered microbiota composition may lead to increased colonisation with pathogenic bacteria, poor immune development and susceptibility to sepsis in the preterm infant.Probiotics are live microorganisms, which when administered in adequate amounts confer health benefits on the host. Amongst numerous bacteriocidal and nutritional roles, they may also favourably modulate host immune responses in local and remote tissues. Meta-analyses of probiotic supplementation in preterm infants report a reduction in mortality and necrotising enterocolitis. Studies with sepsis as an outcome have reported mixed results to date.Allergic diseases are increasing in incidence in "westernised" countries. There is evidence that probiotics may reduce the incidence of these diseases by altering the intestinal microbiota to influence immune function.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a multi-centre, randomised, double blinded, placebo controlled trial investigating supplementing preterm infants born at < 32 weeks' gestation weighing < 1500 g, with a probiotic combination (Bifidobacterium infantis, Streptococcus thermophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis). A total of 1,100 subjects are being recruited in Australia and New Zealand. Infants commence the allocated intervention from soon after the start of feeds until discharge home or term corrected age. The primary outcome is the incidence of at least one episode of definite (blood culture positive) late onset sepsis before 40 weeks corrected age or discharge home. Secondary outcomes include: Necrotising enterocolitis, mortality, antibiotic usage, time to establish full enteral feeds, duration of hospital stay, growth measurements at 6 and 12 months' corrected age and evidence of atopic conditions at 12 months' corrected age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results from previous studies on the use of probiotics to prevent diseases in preterm infants are promising. However, a large clinical trial is required to address outstanding issues regarding safety and efficacy in this vulnerable population. This study will address these important issues.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register (ANZCTR): ACTRN012607000144415The product "ABC Dophilus Probiotic Powder for Infants®", Solgar, USA has its 3 probiotics strains registered with the Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen (DSMZ--German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures) as BB-12 15954, B-02 96579, Th-4 15957.
authors.affiliation: Women's Centre for Infectious Diseases, Bio 21 Institute, 30 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia. suzanne.garland@thewomens.org.au
authors.forename: Suzanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Garland
authors.forename: Jacinta M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Tobin
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pirotta
authors.forename: Sepehr N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Tabrizi
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Opie
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Donath
authors.forename: Mimi L K
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Colin J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Morley
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hickey
authors.forename: Linh
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ung
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Jacobs
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001315:Australia; D001835:Body Weight; D004032:Diet / Q000379:methods*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D010919:Placebos / Q000008:administration & dosage; D047928:Premature Birth; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010919:Placebos