Probiotics as a Novel Adjuvant Approach to Atopic Dermatitis

Objective. The aim of this observational study is to investigate the effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium lactis in atopic dermatitis (AD) in the context of routine clinical practice. Materials and Methods. 107 adult subjects with documented AD receiving a symbiotic combination of Lactobacillus rhamnosus LR05, Bifidobacterium lactis BS01 and fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) were assessed for severity of AD using the SCOring Atopic Dermatitis index (SCORAD) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for AD-related global burden of the disease at baseline and after 2 and 4 months of symbiotic supplementation. Secondary evaluations involved the changes in concomitant use of corticosteroids, antihistamines drugs and calcineurin inhibitors. Results. Treatment with Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium lactis significantly decreased atopic dermatitis severity (determined by SCORAD index) after 2 and 4 months of administration, while no effect was registered on the VAS score. In addition a decrease in consumption of corticosteroids, antihistamines drugs and calcineurin inhibitors was found. Conclusion. The supplementation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus LR05, Bifidobacterium lactis BS01 and fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) had a positive effect with a significant reduction in SCORAD index and concomitant decrease in the use of corticosteroids, antihistamines drugs (after 2 and 4 months of treatment) and calcineurin inhibitors (after 4 months of treatment). Our data support the need of future studies to further investigate the positive effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus LR05, Bifidobacterium lactis BS01 and fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) symbiotic combination in the management of AD, with particular focus on strain-specific effects.