No Significant Impact of Lactobacillus reuteri on Eradication of Helicobacter pylori in Children (Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial)

Background Lactobacillus reuteri is a probiotic that originated from humans and have been used for eradication of the Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection. Objectives This study was aimed to determine whether adding probiotics to a triple regimen against HP could improve the eradication rate. Methods In a double-blind randomized clinical trial in Iran between October 2012 and January 2014, all eligible patients (Fifty HP positive children, 5 - 14 years old, mean age: 8.5 + 2.5 years, Male/female: 17/33) were entered into the study based on the convenience sampling method and random selection. An endoscopy was performed on all patients and the subjects received antibiotics as well as proton pomp inhibitors with or without the probiotic (Lactobacillus reuteri) in two separate groups. Four weeks after the end of treatment (discontinuation of all medicine) a urea breath test was performed in both groups in order to evaluate eradication of the HP infection. Results Eradication rate in the group that received Lactobacillus reuteri was 88% compared to the group that was treated with standard Helicobacter pylori regimen (76%). This study showed the eradication rate of the probiotics group was 12% higher than the control group, although it was not significant (P = 0.46). Furthermore, results of this study showed a reduction of symptoms before and after treatment in both groups, although the difference between two groups was not significant. Conclusions There was no significant effect of Lactobacillus reuteri on the eradication of Helicobacter pylori compared to the standard group. More research in this regard is recommended.