Oral probiotic therapy with Streptococcus salivarius prevents recurrent streptococcal pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis

Streptococcus salivarius K12 has been shown to inhibit the in-vitro growth of Group A beta hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) due to bacteriocins release. Di Pierro and colleagues from Velleja Research in Mialno, Italy have tested the Streptococcus salivarius K12 for its efficacy in preventing GABHS pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis in adults.

Forty adults with a diagnosis of recurrent GABHS pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis were enrolled in the study. Twenty of these subjects received one tablet containing Streptococcus salivarius K12 (Bactoblis®) a day for 90 days. The other 20 subjects served as untreated controls. The individuals were followed for  6-month to evaluate the effects of the treatment.

The 20 adults who completed the 90-day course of Bactoblis® showed a reduction in their episodes of streptococcal pharyngeal infection (about 80%). The 90 days treatment was also associated with an approximately 60% reduction in the incidence of reported pharyngitis in the 6-month period following use of the product. The product was well tolerated by the subjects with no treatment-related side effects or drop-outs reported. The study illustrated that the prophylactic administration of Streptococcus salivarius K12 to adults with a history of recurrent GABHS pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis reduced the number of episodes of GABHS oral infections.

Using a probiotic tablet