title: Understanding the role of probiotics and prebiotics in preventing allergic disease: evidence and methodological issues.
abstract: Research in the area of prevention of allergic disorders through modification of the intestinal microbiota by provision of probiotics and/or prebiotics is relatively new. This paper briefly summarizes evidence regarding the role of probiotics and/or prebiotics in reducing the risk of allergy. There are studies that show a protective effect, no effect or even a predisposing effect of using probiotics and/or prebiotics in preventing allergic disease. A variety of methodological issues are likely to contribute to current uncertainty. These include differences in the study population (high-risk vs unselected population), optimal strain selection (all probiotics are not equal), differences in definitions of outcomes, timing and duration of the interventions, and a lack of repeat studies.
authors.affiliation: The Medical University of Warsaw, Department of Paediatrics, 01-184 Warsaw, Dzialdowska 1, Poland. hania@ipgate.pl
authors.forename: Hania
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Szajewska
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D034462:Dissent and Disputes; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D056747:Immunomodulation; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D064307:Microbiota / Q000276:immunology; D056692:Prebiotics / Q000009:adverse effects; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012107:Research Design; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: D056692:Prebiotics