Oral probiotics and the female urinary microbiome: a double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial. Journal Article


Authors: Wolff, BJ; Price, TK; Joyce, CJ; Wolfe, AJ; Mueller, ER
Article Title: Oral probiotics and the female urinary microbiome: a double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial.
Abstract: PURPOSE: Probiotics may reduce risk of urinary tract infection by preventing colonization of uropathogens. We aimed to determine the change in the ratio between uropathogens:Lactobacillus (U/L) within the lower urinary tract in response to oral probiotic. METHODS: This was a double-blinded randomized controlled trial of healthy pre-menopausal female volunteers. Participants provided daily voided urine for 3 months including three phases of the trial: 1-baseline, 2-intervention, 3-wash-out. Participants were randomized to an oral probiotic (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14) versus placebo. The primary outcome was the U/L ratio of daily voided urine, as determined by an enhanced urine culture method. Analysis included t test of the ratios and separate generalized linear mixed effects models (GLMM) for microbiota diversity. RESULTS: 481 samples of seven female participants with mean age 29.1 years (±?5.3 years) were included in the analysis (probiotic n?=?4; placebo n?=?3). No adverse events were reported. The placebo and probiotic groups had similar mean U/L ratios with no difference between placebo and probiotic groups in Phases 1-3 (p?=?0.90, p?=?0.58 and p?=?0.72, respectively). The probiotic species were never identified in the voided urine. There were no changes between groups in terms of microbiota diversity. CONCLUSION: For young healthy women, the use of oral probiotic did not affect the U/L ratio.
Journal Title: International urology and nephrology
ISSN: 1573-2584; 0301-1623
Publisher: Unknown  
Date Published: 2019