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Early markers of allergic disease in a primary prevention study using probiotics: 2.5-year follow-up phase

  1. S. L. Prescott,
  2. J. Wiltschut,
  3. A. Taylor,
  4. L. Westcott,
  5. W. Jung,
  6. H. Currie,
  7. J. A. Dunstan

Article first published online: 10 OCT 2008

DOI: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2008.01778.x

Issue

Allergy

Allergy

Volume 63, Issue 11, pages 1481–1490, November 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Prescott, S. L., Wiltschut, J., Taylor, A., Westcott, L., Jung, W., Currie, H. and Dunstan, J. A. (2008), Early markers of allergic disease in a primary prevention study using probiotics: 2.5-year follow-up phase. Allergy, 63: 1481–1490. doi: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2008.01778.x

Author Information

  1. School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia

*Susan L. Prescott School Paediatrics and Child Health Princess Margaret Hospital University of Western Australia PO Box D184 Perth WA 6001 Australia

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 10 OCT 2008
  2. Article first published online: 10 OCT 2008
  3. Accepted for publication 1 April 2008

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Keywords:

  • allergic disease;
  • allergy prevention;
  • cytokines;
  • endotoxin;
  • ‘hygiene hypothesis’;
  • infants;
  • probiotics;
  • toll-like receptors

Background:  We previously reported that a Lactobacillus acidophilus probiotic strain (LAFTI® L10/LAVRI-A1) given for the first 6 months of life increased the risk of allergen sensitization at 1 year of age.

Methods:  To assess the effects on subsequent allergic outcomes, 153 children from the initial prevention cohort (n = 178) were reviewed at 2.5 years of age. Clinical outcomes were assessed in relation to (i) probiotic supplementation; and (ii) immune function previously assessed at 6 months of age.

Results:  Supplementation with this probiotic did not reduce the risk of dermatitis at 2.5 years (31/74, 42%) compared with that in placebo group (25/76, 34%). There was no significant reduction in any other allergic disease or allergen sensitization. Inhalant sensitization at 2.5 years (n = 29) was associated with higher proportions of circulating CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T-cell populations (P = 0.005) and higher allergen-induced FOXP3 levels (P = 0.003) at 6 months. This was also seen in children with dermatitis. Children with dermatitis at 2.5 years also had significantly lower toll-like receptor 4 lipopolysaccharide responses at 6 months of age (IL-12 P = 0.04, IL-6 P = 0.039) and lower polyclonal (PHA) responses (IFN-γP = 0.005, IL-10 P = 0.001, and IL-6 P = 0.001). Children who had previously received the probiotic had fewer gastrointestinal infections in the preceding 18 months (P = 0.023).

Conclusion:  The LAFTI® L10 probiotic strain did not have any significant effect on allergy outcomes. Allergic children showed a number of early differences in immune function including altered regulatory T-cell markers and innate immune function.

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