Can taking probiotics ('friendly' bacteria) reduce upper respiratory tract infections in healthcare workers?

PROBiotics for the prevention of Upper Respiratory Tract INfectionS in healthcare workers

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN90136957

Enrollment

104

Registered

2020-04-02

Start date

2017-12-05

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2020-05-25

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Upper respiratory tract infection Respiratory

Interventions

The active product: a capsule containing the Lab4 probiotic consortium (Lactobacillus acidophilus CUL-60 (NCIMB 30157), Lactobacillus acidophilus CUL-21 (NCIMB 30156), Bifidobacterium bifidum CUL-20 (

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Male or Female aged between 18 and 70 years 2. Must work in a health-care setting

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Unable to give written informed consent 2. Not prepared to provide blood and saliva samples as required 3. Taking the products/medications that stimulate immune function/inflammation. For example: ß glucans, isoprinosine (methisoprinolum), ribomunyl, immunomodulators lysate of bacteria 4. Have taken probiotic supplements within 2 weeks of trial start 5. Pregnant or lactating 6. Received oral antibiotics within 3 weeks of trial start

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Incidence and duration of URTI symptoms (Patient records at 4 months)	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Incidence and duration of absence from work, antibiotic usage and visits to general practitioners (Daily records) 2. General well-being and health assessed (Quality of life questionnaire; 0, 2, 4 months) 3. Microbiota composition/functionality. (Traditional and NGS; 0, 4 months) 4. Bodyweight, blood pressure and peak flow (0, 2, 4 months) 5. Analysis of biomarkers in blood/urine/saliva (0, 4 months)* *The methods of analysis for blood/urine/saliva have yet to be finalised	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Incidence and duration of absence from work, antibiotic usage and visits to general practitioners (Daily records) 2. General well-being and health assessed (Quality of life questionnaire; 0, 2, 4 months) 3. Microbiota composition/functionality. (Traditional and NGS; 0, 4 months) 4. Bodyweight, blood pressure and peak flow (0, 2, 4 months) 5. Analysis of biomarkers in blood/urine/saliva (0, 4 months)* *The methods of analysis for blood/urine/saliva have yet to be finalised

—

Countries

Macedonia

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026