Impact of Streptococcus salivarius K12 on Nasopharyngeal and Saliva Microbiome: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
- 2020-12-08
- The Pediatric infectious disease journal 40(5)
- Suvi Sarlin
- Mysore V Tejesvi
- Jenni Turunen
- Petri Vänni
- Tytti Pokka
- Marjo Renko
- Terhi Tapiainen
- PubMed: 33298762
- DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000003016
Study Design
- Type
- Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
- Sample size
- n = 121
- Population
- 121 children attending daycare
- Methods
- Randomized allocation to receive oral K12 product for 1 month or no treatment; saliva and nasopharyngeal samples at entry, 1 and 2 months; 16S sequencing
- Blinding
- Open-label
- Duration
- 1 month
- Funding
- Unclear
- Large Human Trial
Background
Probiotic lactobacilli have been ineffective in preventing acute otitis media. In contrast to lactobacilli, alpha-hemolytic streptococci belong to the core microbiome of nasopharynx.Methods
We investigated the effects of Streptococcus salivarius K12 probiotic on the saliva and nasopharyngeal microbiome in 121 children attending daycare. Children were randomly allocated to receive oral K12 product for 1 month or no treatment. We obtained saliva and nasopharyngeal samples at study entry, at 1 and 2 months. The next-generation sequencing of the bacterial 16S gene was performed.Results
After the intervention, the diversity of saliva or nasopharyngeal microbiome did not differ between groups. The proportion of children with any otopathogen did not differ between the groups. At 1 month, the abundance of otopathogens in nasopharynx was lower in K12 group compared with that in control children (34% vs. 55%, P = 0.037). When we compared each otopathogen separately, Moraxella was the only group lower in the treatment group. We could not verify the reduction of Moraxella when an alternative Human Oral Microbiome Database taxonomy database was used. In children receiving K12 product, the mean abundance of S. salivarius was greater in saliva after the intervention (0.9% vs. 2.0%, P = 0.009).Conclusions
The use of S. salivarius K12 probiotic appeared to be safe because it did not disrupt the normal microbiome in young children. Even though a short-term colonization of S. salivarius was observed in the saliva, the impact of S. salivarius K12 probiotic on the otopathogens in nasopharyngeal microbiome remained uncertain.Research Insights
After the intervention, the diversity of saliva or nasopharyngeal microbiome did not differ between groups.
- Effect
- Neutral
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- not stated
After the intervention, the diversity of saliva or nasopharyngeal microbiome did not differ between groups.
- Effect
- Neutral
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- not stated
In children receiving K12 product, the mean abundance of S. salivarius was greater in saliva after the intervention (0.9% vs. 2.0%, P = 0.009).
- Effect
- Beneficial
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- oral K12 product for 1 month
When we compared each otopathogen separately, Moraxella was the only group lower in the treatment group. We could not verify the reduction of Moraxella when an alternative Human Oral Microbiome Database taxonomy database was used.
- Effect
- Neutral
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- oral K12 product for 1 month
After the intervention, the diversity of saliva or nasopharyngeal microbiome did not differ between groups.
- Effect
- Neutral
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- oral K12 product for 1 month
When we compared each otopathogen separately, Moraxella was the only group lower in the treatment group. We could not verify the reduction of Moraxella when an alternative Human Oral Microbiome Database taxonomy database was used.
- Effect
- Neutral
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- not stated
At 1 month, the abundance of otopathogens in nasopharynx was lower in K12 group compared with that in control children (34% vs. 55%, P = 0.037).
- Effect
- Beneficial
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- oral K12 product for 1 month
The proportion of children with any otopathogen did not differ between the groups.
- Effect
- Neutral
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- oral K12 product for 1 month
The proportion of children with any otopathogen did not differ between the groups.
- Effect
- Neutral
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- not stated
After the intervention, the diversity of saliva or nasopharyngeal microbiome did not differ between groups.
- Effect
- Neutral
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- oral K12 product for 1 month