Gut Talk Series: Respiratory infections in childhood and use of probiotics

Probiotics are viable nonpathogenic bacteria that colonize the intestine and modify the intestinal microbiota and their metabolic activities with beneficial effects for the host. Beyond their capacity to positively influence the composition of gut microbiota, there is growing evidence that some probiotic strains can modulate the immune system both at the local and systemic level. Thereby, these probiotic strains can improve immune defense mechanisms and/or down-regulate immune disorders, such as respiratory tract infections. Specific probiotics such as L. reuteri and L.rhamnosus (L GG) have been shown to reduce the risk of respiratory infections in childhood.