Table 1.
Effects of probiotics on upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in human studies.
| References | Probiotics (CFUs/Day) | Target Subjects | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| [56] | Lactobacillus casei DN-114001 (2.0 × 1010) | Children (3–6 years) (n = 638) | Incidence of common infectious diseases decreased by ingestion of probiotic drink. |
| [55] | Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus OLL1073R-1 (2.5 × 1010) | Elderly (n = 142) | Risk of catching a cold decreased by intake of yogurt. |
| [57] | Lactobacillus casei Shirota (1.3 × 1010) | Athletes (n = 84) | Incidence of URTI was reduced by intake of probiotic drink. |
| [58] | Lactobacillus casei Shirota (4.0 × 1010) | Elderly (n = 154) | Probiotic treatment reduced the duration of acute URTIs. |
| [59] | Lactobacillus brevis KB290 (6.0 × 109) | Schoolchildren (6–12 years) (n = 1089) | Incidence of influenza was reduced by intake of probiotic drink. |
| [61] | Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 (1.0 × 1010) | Infants (1 month) (n = 109) | Incidence of URTI was reduced by probiotic treatment. |
| [60] | Sachet: Bifidobacterium bifidum W23, Bifidobacterium lactis W51, Enterococcus faecium W54, Lactobacillus acidophilus W22, Lactobacillus brevis W63 and Lactococcus lactis W58 (1.0 × 1010) | Athletes (n = 33) | Incidence of URTI was reduced by probiotic treatment. |
| [63] | Lactobacillus casei Shirota (1.0 × 1011) | Stress-burdened office workers (n = 96) | Incidence of URTI was reduced by probiotic drink. |
| [62] | Lactobacillus paracasei N1115 (1.0 × 1010) | Healthy elderly over 45 years (n = 205) | The incidence of acute URTI was reduced by probiotic treatment. |
| [64] | Lactobacillus plantarum DR7 (1.0 × 109) | Adults (n = 109) | Probiotic treatment reduced the duration of nasal symptoms and the frequency of URTI. |