Hypothesis: Probiotics have been used as novel adjunct therapeutic approach in atopic dermatitis. In addition to balancing the gut microecology and promoting host immune defences, specific probiotics might further aid in controlling the microbial colonization of the skin, thereby reducing proneness to secondary infections which typically cause sustained symptoms. Thirty-nine infants with atopic dermatitis,randomized for a three-month-period in a double-blind design to receive extensively hydrolysed casein formula (NutramigenR, Mead-Johnson, USA) supplemented with (n=19) or without (n=20) Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103) 5.0 x 107 cfu/g to achieve a daily intake of 3.4 x 109 cfu. Sampling (blood and faecal samples, cotton swab from the skin) and clinical examination of the infant, including SCORAD assessment to determine the severity of atopic dermatitis, at each study visit (at entry and one month and three months thereafter).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
40
Infants drink extensively hydrolysed casein formula supplemented with LGG (ATCC 53103) 5.0 x 10 7 cfu/g to achieve a daily intake of 3.4 10 9 cfu.
Infants drink extensively hydrolysed casein formula without added LGG
Turku University Central Hospital
Turku, Finland
severity of atopic dermatitis
Severity of atopic dermatitis of the study infants will be assessed by SCORAD index
Time frame: March 2007 - July 2008
Maturation of humoral immune responses
Determination of proportions of immunoglobulin secreting cells among peripheral blood mononuclear cells was carried out by ELISPOT assay. The proportions of CD 19+ memory B cells was carried out by flow cytometry
Time frame: March 2007 - July 2008
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