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