Skip to main content
Supplement Research and Comparison WebsiteBest Price Guarantee
Supplement Research and Comparison Website

Abstract

Background: Probiotics can modulate the immune system in healthy individuals and may help reduce symptoms related to respiratory infections.

Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei, L. casei 431 (Chr. Hansen A/S) (hereafter, L. casei 431) on immune response to influenza vaccination and respiratory symptoms in healthy adults.

Design: A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 1104 healthy subjects aged 18-60 y at 2 centers in Germany and Denmark. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive an acidified milk drink containing ≥10(9) colony-forming units of L. casei 431 (n = 553) or placebo (n = 551) for 42 d. After 21 d, subjects received the seasonal influenza vaccination. The primary outcome was seroprotection rate (anti-influenza antibody titers by hemagglutination inhibition) 21 d after vaccination. Other outcomes were seroconversion rate and mean titers, influenza A-specific antibodies and incidence, and duration and severity of upper respiratory symptoms. Antibiotic use and use of health care resources were recorded.

Results: There was no effect of L. casei 431 on immune responses to influenza vaccination. Generalized linear mixed modeling showed a shorter duration of upper respiratory symptoms in the probiotic group than in the placebo group (mean ± SD: 6.4 ± 6.1 vs. 7.3 ± 9.7 d, P = 0.0059) in the last 3 wk of the intervention period. No statistically significant differences were found for incidence or severity.

Conclusions: Daily consumption of L. casei 431 resulted in no observable effect on the components of the immune response to influenza vaccination but reduced the duration of upper respiratory symptoms. The trial was registered at www.isrctn.com as ISRCTN08280229.

Keywords: L. casei 431; Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei; immune function; probiotics; upper respiratory tract infection; vaccination response.

Research Insights

SupplementHealth OutcomeEffect TypeEffect Size
Lacticaseibacillus caseiImproved Immune Response to Influenza VaccinationNeutral
Small
Lacticaseibacillus caseiReduced Duration of Upper Respiratory SymptomsBeneficial
Small
Lacticaseibacillus casei R0215Reduced Duration of Upper Respiratory SymptomsBeneficial
Small
Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Lpc-37Improved Immune Response to Influenza VaccinationNeutral
Small
Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Lpc-37Reduced Duration of Upper Respiratory SymptomsBeneficial
Small
Lactobacillus caseiNo Effect on Immune Response to Influenza VaccinationNeutral
Small
Lactobacillus caseiReduced Duration of Upper Respiratory SymptomsBeneficial
Small
Lactobacillus casei HA-108Improved Immune Response to Influenza VaccinationNeutral
Small
Lactobacillus casei HA-108Reduced Duration of Upper Respiratory SymptomsBeneficial
Small
Lactobacillus casei Lc-11Reduced Duration of Upper Respiratory SymptomsBeneficial
Small
Lactobacillus casei LC03Improved Immune Response to Influenza VaccinationNeutral
Small
Lactobacillus casei LC03Increased Incidence of Upper Respiratory SymptomsNeutral
Small
Lactobacillus casei LC03Reduced Duration of Upper Respiratory SymptomsBeneficial
Small
Lactobacillus casei PXN 37Improved Immune Response to Influenza VaccinationNeutral
Small
Lactobacillus casei PXN 37Reduced Duration of Upper Respiratory SymptomsBeneficial
Small
Lactobacillus casei R0215No Effect on Immune Response to Influenza VaccinationNeutral
Small
Lactobacillus casei R0215Reduced Duration of Upper Respiratory SymptomsBeneficial
Small
Lactobacillus casei SD-5213No Effect on Immune Response to Influenza VaccinationNeutral
Small
Lactobacillus casei SD-5213Reduced Duration of Upper Respiratory SymptomsBeneficial
Small
Lactobacillus casei SD-5842No Effect on Immune Response to Influenza VaccinationNeutral
Small
Lactobacillus casei SD-5842Reduced Duration of Upper Respiratory SymptomsBeneficial
Small
Lactobacillus casei subsp. caseiNo Effect on Immune Response to Influenza VaccinationNeutral
Small
Lactobacillus casei subsp. caseiReduced Duration of Common Cold SymptomsBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus casei UALc-03Improved Immune Response to Influenza VaccinationNeutral
Small
Lactobacillus casei UALc-03Reduced Duration of Upper Respiratory SymptomsBeneficial
Small
Lactobacillus casei VK4No Effect on Immune Response to Influenza VaccinationNeutral
Small
Lactobacillus genseniReduced Duration of Upper Respiratory SymptomsBeneficial
Small
Lactobacillus paracaseiNo Effect on Immune Response to Influenza VaccinationNeutral
Small
Lactobacillus paracaseiReduced Duration of Upper Respiratory SymptomsBeneficial
Small
Lactobacillus paracasei 431No Effect on Immune Response to Influenza VaccinationNeutral
Small
Lactobacillus paracasei 431Reduced Duration of Upper Respiratory SymptomsBeneficial
Small
Lactobacillus paracasei DSM 13434Reduced Duration of Upper Respiratory SymptomsBeneficial
Small
Lactobacillus paracasei HA-196Improved Immune Response to Influenza VaccinationNeutral
Small
Lactobacillus paracasei HA-196Reduced Duration of Upper Respiratory SymptomsBeneficial
Small
Lactobacillus paracasei IMC 502Improved Immune Response to Influenza VaccinationNeutral
Small
Lactobacillus paracasei IMC 502Reduced Duration of Upper Respiratory SymptomsBeneficial
Small
Lactobacillus paracasei LPC09No Effect on Immune Response to Influenza VaccinationNeutral
Small
Lactobacillus paracasei LPC09Reduced Duration of Upper Respiratory SymptomsBeneficial
Small
Lactobacillus paracasei MCC1849Reduced Duration of Upper Respiratory SymptomsBeneficial
Small
Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei UALpc-04Reduced Duration of Upper Respiratory SymptomsBeneficial
Small
Lactobacillus paracasei UALpc-04Reduced Duration of Upper Respiratory SymptomsBeneficial
Small
Lactobacillus paracasei VPro 224Reduced Duration of Common Cold SymptomsBeneficial
Moderate
Back to top