Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in adenoid tissue: Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial

Conclusion: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (L.GG) was present in all adenoids of children receiving the L. GG product. However, since L.GG was also found from the placebo group, one cannot confirm its effect on the occurrence of rhinovirus (RV) or enterovirus (EV). Objectives: The present study was conducted to determine whether a 3-week oral consumption of L.GG would lead to presence of the probiotic in adenoid tissue. Furthermore, nasopharyngeal RV and EV findings and symptom data were investigated. Method: The tissue samples were collected from 40 children aged 1–5 years about to undergo adenotomy due to recurrentacute/secretoryotitismedia,chronicrhinitis,orrecurrentsinusitisaftera3-weekdailyconsumptionofL.GG(n =20)or placebo (n = 20). Strain-specific real-time PCR was used to detect RV, EV, and L.GG in adenoid tissue. Results: L.GG was recoveredintheadenoidsamplein100%ofchildrenintheL.GGgroupandin76%intheplacebogroup(p =0.07).BothRVand EV were found in 31% of children in the L.GG group and in 18% of children in the placebo group (p = 0.67). Themajority of the positive samples were positive for both RV and EV. Study diaries showed no differences in symptoms between the groups.