Two probiotics help infants who have eczema, cow's milk allergy: lactobacillus and bifidobacterium.(Dermatologic Therapy)(bifidobacteria and lactobacillus)

VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Probiotics of two types--lactobacillus and bifidobacterium--significantly improved atopic dermatitis in infants with suspected cow's milk allergy, according to trials presented at the World Allergy Organization Congress.

In one of the studies, supplementation with the Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG produced significantly greater improvement in atopic dermatitis than placebo in children with IgE sensitization. It was also more effective than placebo in children with the most severe skin disease, said Dr. Erkki Savilahti, professor of pediatrics at the University of Helsinki (Finland).

It was not more effective in children with less severe dermatitis or no evidence of IgE mediation of their disease, he said at the congress, which was sponsored by the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.

In another study, bifidobacteria not only improved atopic dermatitis, compared with placebo, but also improved GI symptoms associated with food allergy, such as frequency of diarrhea.

The studies add to a growing body of evidence that the intestinal microbes known as probiotics can have a positive impact on atopic disease. A recent update from that investigation reported that this protective effect could still be seen when the children were 4 years of age (Lancet 361[9372]: 1869-71, 2003).