C R Wilcox1, B Stuart2, H Leaver2, M Lown2, M Willcox2, M Moore2, P Little2. 1. NIHR Clinical Research Facility, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, UK; Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, Aldermoor Health Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK. Electronic address: christopher.wilcox@soton.ac.uk. 2. Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, Aldermoor Health Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Sore throat resulting from pharyngotonsillitis is one of the commonest reasons for primary care consultation and inappropriate antibiotic prescription and finding effective alternative treatments is important. OBJECTIVES: To review the evidence for using the probiotic Streptococcus salivarius K12 (SsK12) for the prevention or treatment of pharyngotonsillitis. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and Cochrane Library. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs). PARTICIPANTS: Adults or children. INTERVENTIONS: SsK12 as active treatment or prophylaxis, against pharyngotonsillitis. METHODS: Literature search. RESULTS: Four articles were identified (1846 participants). All were deemed to be of poor quality using the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment. Two trials studied SsK12 prophylaxis for streptococcal pharyngitis (children without history of recurrence). One compared daily administration of SsK12 to no treatment over 6 months (n = 222, age 33-45 months), reporting significantly lower incidence in the SsK12 group (16.2% vs. 48.6%, p < 0.01), whereas another placebo-controlled RCT over four school terms (n = 1314, 5-14 years) found no significant difference (7.8% vs. 8.8%, p 0.34) with SsK12 (administered on school days). Another trial found daily SsK12 to significantly protect children (n = 250, 6-7 years) against chronic adenoiditis exacerbation over 3 months compared to no treatment (71.7% vs. 100%, p < 0.0001). The one placebo-controlled RCT in adults that studied the use of SsK12 for acute pharyngotonsillitis (concurrently with penicillin) showed no significant benefit. In all trials, SsK12 was safe and well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: SsK12 appears safe and well tolerated. However, further RCTs are required to establish its role as a prophylactic therapy, particularly among patients experiencing frequent exacerbations of pharyngitis. In the acute setting, SsK12 is unlikely to be effective if given concurrently with antibiotics; however, further RCTs should establish its role as an alternative to antibiotics in nonsevere cases or when prescribed after antibiotic therapy for the prevention of disease recurrence and/or secondary infection.
BACKGROUND: Sore throat resulting from pharyngotonsillitis is one of the commonest reasons for primary care consultation and inappropriate antibiotic prescription and finding effective alternative treatments is important. OBJECTIVES: To review the evidence for using the probiotic Streptococcus salivarius K12 (SsK12) for the prevention or treatment of pharyngotonsillitis. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and Cochrane Library. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs). PARTICIPANTS: Adults or children. INTERVENTIONS: SsK12 as active treatment or prophylaxis, against pharyngotonsillitis. METHODS: Literature search. RESULTS: Four articles were identified (1846 participants). All were deemed to be of poor quality using the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment. Two trials studied SsK12 prophylaxis for streptococcal pharyngitis (children without history of recurrence). One compared daily administration of SsK12 to no treatment over 6 months (n = 222, age 33-45 months), reporting significantly lower incidence in the SsK12 group (16.2% vs. 48.6%, p < 0.01), whereas another placebo-controlled RCT over four school terms (n = 1314, 5-14 years) found no significant difference (7.8% vs. 8.8%, p 0.34) with SsK12 (administered on school days). Another trial found daily SsK12 to significantly protect children (n = 250, 6-7 years) against chronic adenoiditis exacerbation over 3 months compared to no treatment (71.7% vs. 100%, p < 0.0001). The one placebo-controlled RCT in adults that studied the use of SsK12 for acute pharyngotonsillitis (concurrently with penicillin) showed no significant benefit. In all trials, SsK12 was safe and well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: SsK12 appears safe and well tolerated. However, further RCTs are required to establish its role as a prophylactic therapy, particularly among patients experiencing frequent exacerbations of pharyngitis. In the acute setting, SsK12 is unlikely to be effective if given concurrently with antibiotics; however, further RCTs should establish its role as an alternative to antibiotics in nonsevere cases or when prescribed after antibiotic therapy for the prevention of disease recurrence and/or secondary infection.
Authors: Garreth W Lawrence; Niamh McCarthy; Calum J Walsh; Tais M Kunyoshi; Elaine M Lawton; Paula M O'Connor; Máire Begley; Paul D Cotter; Caitriona M Guinane Journal: Gut Microbes Date: 2022 Jan-Dec
Authors: José Antonio Picó-Monllor; Beatriz Ruzafa-Costas; Eva Núñez-Delegido; Pedro Sánchez-Pellicer; Javier Peris-Berraco; Vicente Navarro-Lopez Journal: Nutrients Date: 2021-12-10 Impact factor: 5.717