Severe Eosinophilic Syndrome: Highly Unlikely Associated with the Use of Probiotic Supplements!

A recent report in this journal suggested a causal relation between probiotic consumption and eosinophilia. In our opinion, the data presented does not suggest such a relationship. The two described eosinophilia cases have not been shown to be caused by infection and certainly not by probiotic infec...

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Main Authors: Arthur C. Ouwehand, Ger T. Rijkers
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2013-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Rheumatology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/769127
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author Arthur C. Ouwehand
Ger T. Rijkers
author_facet Arthur C. Ouwehand
Ger T. Rijkers
author_sort Arthur C. Ouwehand
collection DOAJ
description A recent report in this journal suggested a causal relation between probiotic consumption and eosinophilia. In our opinion, the data presented does not suggest such a relationship. The two described eosinophilia cases have not been shown to be caused by infection and certainly not by probiotic infection. The consumed probiotics could not be retrieved in shops, so their identity remains unknown. Furthermore, the alleged consumption took place 2–4 weeks prior to the onset of the symptoms; during such time period, probiotics tend to have disappeared from the intestine. Because most probiotic health benefits are strain specific, also potential risks are strain specific. Thus, generalizing a risk to probiotics as a class is incorrect. We do, however, agree with the authors of the case report that quality control of probiotics should be rigorous. We also do not dispute that there may be certain risk groups (e.g. severely immune-compromised patients), where probiotic use should be carefully monitored. In conclusion, the data presented in the case report do not indicate that specific probiotics strains might cause eosinophilia.
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spelling doaj-art-1feebefa001e4f809201299733e7de772025-08-20T02:03:47ZengWileyCase Reports in Rheumatology2090-68892090-68972013-01-01201310.1155/2013/769127769127Severe Eosinophilic Syndrome: Highly Unlikely Associated with the Use of Probiotic Supplements!Arthur C. Ouwehand0Ger T. Rijkers1Active Nutrition, DuPont Nutrition and Health, 02460 Kantvik, FinlandDepartment of Science, University College Roosevelt, 4330 AB Middelburg, The NetherlandsA recent report in this journal suggested a causal relation between probiotic consumption and eosinophilia. In our opinion, the data presented does not suggest such a relationship. The two described eosinophilia cases have not been shown to be caused by infection and certainly not by probiotic infection. The consumed probiotics could not be retrieved in shops, so their identity remains unknown. Furthermore, the alleged consumption took place 2–4 weeks prior to the onset of the symptoms; during such time period, probiotics tend to have disappeared from the intestine. Because most probiotic health benefits are strain specific, also potential risks are strain specific. Thus, generalizing a risk to probiotics as a class is incorrect. We do, however, agree with the authors of the case report that quality control of probiotics should be rigorous. We also do not dispute that there may be certain risk groups (e.g. severely immune-compromised patients), where probiotic use should be carefully monitored. In conclusion, the data presented in the case report do not indicate that specific probiotics strains might cause eosinophilia.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/769127
spellingShingle Arthur C. Ouwehand
Ger T. Rijkers
Severe Eosinophilic Syndrome: Highly Unlikely Associated with the Use of Probiotic Supplements!
Case Reports in Rheumatology
title Severe Eosinophilic Syndrome: Highly Unlikely Associated with the Use of Probiotic Supplements!
title_full Severe Eosinophilic Syndrome: Highly Unlikely Associated with the Use of Probiotic Supplements!
title_fullStr Severe Eosinophilic Syndrome: Highly Unlikely Associated with the Use of Probiotic Supplements!
title_full_unstemmed Severe Eosinophilic Syndrome: Highly Unlikely Associated with the Use of Probiotic Supplements!
title_short Severe Eosinophilic Syndrome: Highly Unlikely Associated with the Use of Probiotic Supplements!
title_sort severe eosinophilic syndrome highly unlikely associated with the use of probiotic supplements
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/769127
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