Probiotics and prebiotics: Clinical effects in allergic disease

Abstract

Purpose of Review: This paper summarizes recent publications on probiotics and prebiotics in allergic disease. It focuses on clinical studies of prevention or treatment of allergic disease. Recent Finddings: Studies suggest a role for certain probiotics (alone or with prebiotics) in the prevention of atopic eczema. Treatment during the prenatal period appears to be important for beneficial effects. The use of probiotics for the treatment of established allergic disease is less promising, despite some positive results. A Cochrane systematic review concluded that, when the results for the different probiotic strains used in clinical trials are pooled, probiotics are not effective for the treat..