Study to investigate the potential of probiotics in children attending school

Abstract

Background/Objectives: To determine if consumption of yogurt containing a high dose of probiotic (1 Â 10 10 colony-forming unit per 100 ml), Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (B. lactis), decreases absences in children 2-4 years attending daycare/ school centers. Subjects/Methods: We conducted a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, allocation concealment clinical trial in the Washington, DC area. Our active intervention was a strawberry yogurt-based drink supplemented with B. lactis BB-12. The placebo was indistinguishable from the active drink, differing only in absence of the probiotic BB-12.Results: A total of 172 children between the ages of 2 and 4 from the Washington, DC area were enrolled. The primary outcome, missed days of school because of illness per 100 days, was similar in both the active (2.54 days absent/100 school days) and control groups (2.42 days absent/100 school days) (P ¼ 0.873). Conclusions: The probiotic-containing yogurt-based beverage studied did not decrease absences because of illnesses in daycare/school for healthy children ages 2-4 years.

Safety ofBifidobacterium animalissubsp.lactis(B. lactis) strain BB-12-supplemented yogurt in healthy adults on antibiotics: a phase I safety study

“…As in previous studies, BB-12 remained viable throughout the shelf life of the product and was absent in the control product throughout the study. 11 No changes in bacterial abundance were detected for total bacteria (Eubacteria), or other beneficial bacterial species such as Bacteroides fragilis, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species in fecal samples from both intervention groups after 10-day supplementation with yogurt containing B. lactis, indicating that major changes in composition of intestinal microbiota are not seen after short-term interventions with BB-12 at the current dose or may not be affected by a short term consumption of antibiotics (Table 3). Alternatively, high variability in bacterial abundance within a reduced group of subjects may have contributed to the lack of detectable change at a species level.…”

“…11 Data demonstrated a stable, viable BB-12 population in the test product and less than 100 colony forming units/gram of BB-12 in the control product. The pH of the drinkable products remained constant over time.…”

“…The maintenance of viability and constant pH of the drinkable products indicated that the product was stable throughout the experiment. 11 …”

“…11 All yogurts used starter cultures Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp Bulgaricus. The BB-12 product was supplemented additionally with the investigational agent Bifidobacterium animalis subsp.…”

“…The microbiological composition of the active yogurt drink at the end of its 30-day shelf life met targets of at least 1 £ 10 10 colony forming units per 100 mL serving of BB-12. 11 Both the YFL-702 starter culture and the BB-12 probiotic were supplied as frozen concentrated cultures by the manufacturer, Chr. Hansen (Milwaukee, WI).…”