title: Preliminary results on clinical effects of probiotic Lactobacillus salivarius LS01 in children affected by atopic dermatitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of an intake of Lactobacillus salivarius LS01 (DSM 22775) for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) in children.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  AD is an inflammatory and pruritic chronic relapsing skin disorder with multifactorial etiopathology. Some evidence suggests that probiotics may improve AD by modulating the immune system and the composition of intestinal microbiota.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 43 patients aged from 0 to 11 years were enrolled in the study (M/F ratio=1:1) and treated with the probiotic strain L. salivarius LS01. Clinical efficacy of probiotic treatment was assessed from baseline by changes in itch index and in the objective SCORAD/SCORAD index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients being given probiotic treatment showed a significant improvement in clinical parameters (SCORAD and itch values) from baseline. The reduction in SCORAD and itch index observed after 4 weeks of treatment also persisted after the cessation of probiotic supplementation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  L. salivarius LS01 seems to be able to improve the quality of life of children affected by AD and, as a consequence, it may have promising clinical and research implications.
authors.affiliation: *Hospital of Foligno and Spoleto, AUSL 2 Umbria ‡IRCCS Galeazzi Hospital Milan †Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Niccoli
authors.forename: Anna L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Artesi
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Candio
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ceccarelli
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cozzali
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ferraro
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fiumana
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mencacci
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morlupo
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pazzelli
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toscano
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Drago
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D007558:Italy; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome