Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in the middle ear after randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled oral administration.

OBJECTIVE

Probiotics may have potency in reducing upper respiratory infections, in particular in children. We studied findings from middle ear effusion (MEE) samples after randomized, placebo-controlled 3-week oral administration of probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (L.

GG)

METHODS

40 children referred to tympanostomy were randomized to receive either L. GG or placebo (1:1) for 3 weeks before surgery. MEE samples were collected from 13 children (in total, 25 samples, 19 from the L. GG group and 6 from the placebo group) and analyzed for L. GG and pathogenic bacterial and viral findings.

RESULTS

L. GG was present in 5 of the 25 MEE samples (4 from the L. GG group). Haemophilus infuenzae was the most prominent pathogen in 12 samples (10 from the L. GG group). Rhinovirus was present in 12 samples (10 from the L. GG group) and enterovirus in 1 sample (L. GG group).

CONCLUSIONS

L. GG was present in the middle ear of children suffering from otitis media with effusion, but did not reduce the presence of pathogenic bacteria or viruses.