Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Probiotics are ‘friendly bacteria’ that can have beneficial effects by, amongst other ways, interacting with the bacteria that already live in the gut to promote a healthy gut microbiota that supports the well-being of the host. The aim of this study is to see if the daily consumption of a probiotic supplement will modulate the functioning of the gut microbiota resulting in the reduced incidence and/or duration of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI, also known as the common cold), and improve quality of life and wellbeing in healthcare workers (who are prone to infections from exposure to "unwell individuals").
Who can participate?
Adults aged between 18 to 70 years working in a healthcare setting i.e. nurse, doctor, pharmacist, health-care porter.
What does the study involve?
Participants will be asked to take one capsule containing either the active product (probiotic) or an identical inactive product (placebo) every day for 4 months (112 days). There is an equal chance that the participant will be assigned to take the active or placebo and neither the participant themselves nor the study researchers will know who is taking what.
Participants complete a daily diary indicating if they are experiencing any cold-like symptoms (coughing, sneezing and blocked nose). Participants will complete a questionnaire assessing the general quality of life, well-being and health at 0, 2 and 4 months. Blood pressure, body weight and peak flow (how well your lungs are functioning) will be measured at the start and end of the study. Blood and saliva samples at 0 and 4 months and from volunteers, stool (faecal) and urine samples at 0 and 4 months.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
It is hoped that the results from this work will lead to improvements in our understanding of the benefits of taking probiotics and those participants receiving the probiotic might experience reduced symptoms.
There have been no adverse reactions associated with the consumption of Lab4 probiotics. but mild side effects such as a change in bowel habit and/or increased flatulence may occur during the first few days of taking the supplement.
Where is the study run from?
The University Clinic of Pulmonology and Allergology, Saints Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje (Macedonia)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
December 2017 until April 2018
Who is funding the study?
Cultech Ltd (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Sue Plummer, suep@cultech.co.uk
Trial website
Contact information
Type
Scientific
Primary contact
Dr Daryn Michael
ORCID ID
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8546-1153
Contact details
Cultech Ltd
Unit 2 Christchurch Road
Baglan Industrial Estate
Port Talbot
SA12 7BZ
United Kingdom
+44 (0)1639 825100
darynm@cultech.co.uk
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
Nil known
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Nil known
Protocol/serial number
PROBINS 8.1
Study information
Scientific title
PROBiotics for the prevention of Upper Respiratory Tract INfectionS in healthcare workers
Acronym
PROBINS
Study hypothesis
Daily supplementation with Lab4 probiotics will reduce the incidence and/or duration of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI) and improve quality of life and general wellbeing in health care workers.
Ethics approval
Approved 20/02/2017, Ethics Committee for Clinical and Other Investigations related to Medicines and Medical Supplies within the Agency for Medicines and Medical Supplies of the Republic of Macedonia (St. Styril and Methodius 6g.S4 floor: t, Skopje, Macedonia; +389 (0)2 5112 394; email not available), ref: 11-372/1
Study design
Single-centre randomised double-blind placebo-controlled parallel-group study
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised controlled trial
Trial setting
Community
Trial type
Prevention
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use contact details to request participant information sheet
Condition
Upper respiratory tract infection
Intervention
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 (NCIMB 30153) and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis CUL-34 (NCIMB 30172)) at a total of 5 x 10^10 (50 billion) colony forming units (cfus) per day. The placebo: an identical looking capsule containing microcrystalline cellulose and maltodextrin.
Trial subjects were allocated in a 1:1 ratio into two parallel study arms (active arm or placebo arm) according to a randomisation protocol provided by an independent statistician. The intervention period was 16 weeks (112 days).
Intervention type
Supplement
Phase
Drug names
Primary outcome measure
Incidence and duration of URTI symptoms (Patient records at 4 months)
Secondary outcome measures
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
Overall trial start date
10/01/2017
Overall trial end date
12/04/2018
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. Male or Female aged between 18 and 70 years
2. Must work in a health-care setting
Participant type
Healthy volunteer
Age group
Adult
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
104
Total final enrolment
104
Participant 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: β 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
Recruitment start date
05/12/2017
Recruitment end date
22/12/2017
Locations
Countries of recruitment
Macedonia
Trial participating centre
Saints Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje
The University Clinic of Pulmonology and Allergology
blvd. Goce Delcev 9
Skopje
1000
Macedonia
Sponsor information
Organisation
Cultech (United Kingdom)
Sponsor details
Unit 2 Christchurch Road
Baglan Industrial Estate
Port Talbot
SA12 7BZ
United Kingdom
+44 (0)1639 825100
suep@cultech.co.uk
Sponsor type
Industry
Website
Funders
Funder type
Industry
Funder name
Cultech Ltd
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Results will be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
IPD sharing statement:
The current data sharing plans for this study are unknown and will be available at a later date.
Intention to publish date
31/12/2020
Participant level data
To be made available at a later date
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list
Publication citations
Additional files
- ISRCTN90136957_PROTOCOL.pdf uploaded 15/05/2020