Probiotics plus oral immunotherapy improves peanut allergies, trial shows

Probiotics could provide a long-term cure for peanut allergy sufferers, research from Murdoch Childrens Research Institute shows.

When given a daily probiotic, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, plus daily peanut oral immunotherapy in increasing doses, 80% of children were able to tolerate peanut at the end of an 18-month trial. In contrast, less than 4% of the placebo group were able to tolerate peanut by the end of the trial.

Of the probiotic-treated children, 23 of 28 (82.1%) were able to include peanut in their diet by the end of the trial, compared with just one of 28 (3.6%) of placebo-treated children.

“In the study, the combined delivery of probiotic and oral immunotherapy was a safe and effective treatment for peanut allergy; however, it is important to point out that this treatment must only be given under close medical supervision as we are giving peanut to children who are allergic to peanut, and children did have allergic reactions. Nevertheless, the likelihood of success was high - if nine children were given probiotic and peanut therapy, seven would benefit,” said lead researcher professor Mimi Tang.

“It appears that we have been able to modify the allergic response to peanut such that the immune system produces protective responses rather than a harmful response to the peanut protein.”

The team says further research is now required to confirm whether the patients will still be able to tolerate peanut years after completing the trial.