Development and clinical assessment of a novel probiotic candy in the prevention of respiratory infections in asthmatic children

Objective: Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children. Upper respiratory infections are often the cause of asthma exacerbation. Studies suggested that spore-forming probiotics can reduce viral infections. This study aimed to determine the effect of spore-forming probiotic Bacillus cand...

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Main Authors: Rana Tafrishi, Hamid Ahanchian, Seyed ali Jafari, Abolfazl Pahlevanloo, Hamidreza Kianifar, Mohammadali Kiani, Nasrin Moazzen, Tahereh sadeghi, Peter D. Sly
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-02-01
Series:World Allergy Organization Journal
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1939455124001558
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author Rana Tafrishi
Hamid Ahanchian
Seyed ali Jafari
Abolfazl Pahlevanloo
Hamidreza Kianifar
Mohammadali Kiani
Nasrin Moazzen
Tahereh sadeghi
Peter D. Sly
author_facet Rana Tafrishi
Hamid Ahanchian
Seyed ali Jafari
Abolfazl Pahlevanloo
Hamidreza Kianifar
Mohammadali Kiani
Nasrin Moazzen
Tahereh sadeghi
Peter D. Sly
author_sort Rana Tafrishi
collection DOAJ
description Objective: Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children. Upper respiratory infections are often the cause of asthma exacerbation. Studies suggested that spore-forming probiotics can reduce viral infections. This study aimed to determine the effect of spore-forming probiotic Bacillus candy on respiratory illnesses in asthmatic children. Methods &amp; materials: In this randomized trial, 69 children aged 7–11 years with mild intermittent asthma were randomized to receive probiotic candy (containing 1010 CFU probiotic Bacillus coagulans) or placebo candy, daily for 2 months. The primary outcome was the number of viral respiratory infections. Secondary outcomes included salbutamol metered-dose inhaler (MDI) use, oral corticosteroids, school absenteeism, emergency department visits and hospitalizations, and Pediatric Asthma Control Questionnaire (c-ACT). Results: The frequency of symptomatic respiratory illnesses was significantly lower in the probiotic candy group compared to placebo in the first month (0.28 ± 0.45 vs. 0.51 ± 0.50, p = 0.054), the second month (0.08 ± 0.28 vs. 0.41 ± 0.49, p = 0.001) and the total study (0.37 ± 0.54 vs. 0.90 ± 0.73, 0.001). The percent of patients with prednisolone consumption in the probiotic group was lower than the control group (2.9% vs. 14.7%) but did not show a significant difference (p = 0.081) and no difference was seen in the rate of emergency department visits and hospitalization between the 2 groups (both p = 0.254). The use of salbutamol and school absenteeism in the probiotic group was significantly lower than in the control group (p = 0.040 and p = 0.046, respectively. There was no significant difference in the evaluated scores for asthma control (c-ACT) in both probiotic and placebo groups. After the intervention, the difference between the 2 groups has become significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Adding spore-forming probiotic candy containing Bacillus coagulans to standard asthma treatments reduced symptomatic respiratory illnesses over two months. Further studies including longer treatment periods are needed before making recommendations for routine use.
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spelling doaj-art-18a4079858d34948bb03c25eff2005dc2025-01-22T05:41:38ZengElsevierWorld Allergy Organization Journal1939-45512025-02-01182101023Development and clinical assessment of a novel probiotic candy in the prevention of respiratory infections in asthmatic childrenRana Tafrishi0Hamid Ahanchian1Seyed ali Jafari2Abolfazl Pahlevanloo3Hamidreza Kianifar4Mohammadali Kiani5Nasrin Moazzen6Tahereh sadeghi7Peter D. Sly8Department of Allergy and Immunology, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranChild Health Research Centre, University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Australia; Allergy Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Corresponding author. Child Health Research Centre, University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Australia.Pediatrics Gastroenterology Department, Akbar Children Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, IranFood Biotechnology, Department of Food Biotechnology, Research Institute of Food Science and Technology, Mashhad, IranPediatrics Gastroenterology Department, Akbar Children Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, IranPediatrics Gastroenterology Department, Akbar Children Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranAllergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Akbar Children Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, IranNursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Akbar Children Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, IranChild Health Research Centre, University of Queensland, South Brisbane, AustraliaObjective: Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children. Upper respiratory infections are often the cause of asthma exacerbation. Studies suggested that spore-forming probiotics can reduce viral infections. This study aimed to determine the effect of spore-forming probiotic Bacillus candy on respiratory illnesses in asthmatic children. Methods &amp; materials: In this randomized trial, 69 children aged 7–11 years with mild intermittent asthma were randomized to receive probiotic candy (containing 1010 CFU probiotic Bacillus coagulans) or placebo candy, daily for 2 months. The primary outcome was the number of viral respiratory infections. Secondary outcomes included salbutamol metered-dose inhaler (MDI) use, oral corticosteroids, school absenteeism, emergency department visits and hospitalizations, and Pediatric Asthma Control Questionnaire (c-ACT). Results: The frequency of symptomatic respiratory illnesses was significantly lower in the probiotic candy group compared to placebo in the first month (0.28 ± 0.45 vs. 0.51 ± 0.50, p = 0.054), the second month (0.08 ± 0.28 vs. 0.41 ± 0.49, p = 0.001) and the total study (0.37 ± 0.54 vs. 0.90 ± 0.73, 0.001). The percent of patients with prednisolone consumption in the probiotic group was lower than the control group (2.9% vs. 14.7%) but did not show a significant difference (p = 0.081) and no difference was seen in the rate of emergency department visits and hospitalization between the 2 groups (both p = 0.254). The use of salbutamol and school absenteeism in the probiotic group was significantly lower than in the control group (p = 0.040 and p = 0.046, respectively. There was no significant difference in the evaluated scores for asthma control (c-ACT) in both probiotic and placebo groups. After the intervention, the difference between the 2 groups has become significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Adding spore-forming probiotic candy containing Bacillus coagulans to standard asthma treatments reduced symptomatic respiratory illnesses over two months. Further studies including longer treatment periods are needed before making recommendations for routine use.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1939455124001558AsthmaSpore-forming probiotic candyRespiratory infections
spellingShingle Rana Tafrishi
Hamid Ahanchian
Seyed ali Jafari
Abolfazl Pahlevanloo
Hamidreza Kianifar
Mohammadali Kiani
Nasrin Moazzen
Tahereh sadeghi
Peter D. Sly
Development and clinical assessment of a novel probiotic candy in the prevention of respiratory infections in asthmatic children
World Allergy Organization Journal
Asthma
Spore-forming probiotic candy
Respiratory infections
title Development and clinical assessment of a novel probiotic candy in the prevention of respiratory infections in asthmatic children
title_full Development and clinical assessment of a novel probiotic candy in the prevention of respiratory infections in asthmatic children
title_fullStr Development and clinical assessment of a novel probiotic candy in the prevention of respiratory infections in asthmatic children
title_full_unstemmed Development and clinical assessment of a novel probiotic candy in the prevention of respiratory infections in asthmatic children
title_short Development and clinical assessment of a novel probiotic candy in the prevention of respiratory infections in asthmatic children
title_sort development and clinical assessment of a novel probiotic candy in the prevention of respiratory infections in asthmatic children
topic Asthma
Spore-forming probiotic candy
Respiratory infections
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1939455124001558
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